CPI(M) Kottayam extended district committee meeting to dissect poll rout, organisational issues

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] Kottayam district unit will take a hard look at the party’s electoral rout and organisational weaknesses at a two-day extended district committee meeting in Pala from Friday (October 2, 2026), with the leadership set to deliberate on ways to rebuild its mass base and revive the Left Democratic Front (LDF) machinery in the district.

To be inaugurated by party Polit Bureau member A. Vijayaraghavan, the meeting is expected to focus heavily on the electoral setback suffered by the party, while also deliberating on corrective measures to strengthen the party organisation and revive the LDF machinery in the district. While no major changes in the district leadership are expected, the vacancies in the district committee and secretariat following the death of former district secretary A.V. Russel are likely to be filled.

The deliberations will begin after district secretary T.R. Raghunathan presents his working report on Friday morning. Though the district unit has scheduled a separate session later this month to discuss the decisions of the recently concluded extended State committee meeting, party sources said the meeting could also see a wider discussion on State politics and the functioning of the State leadership.

Vasavan’s role

The role of State secretariat member and former Minister V.N. Vasavan is also likely to come under scrutiny, particularly his decision to invite Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to the Global Ayyappa Meet at Pampa during the previous LDF government and read out his letter at the event. The issue had already drawn criticism at the extended State committee meeting in Wayanad.

Local body poll performance

The leadership will, however, draw some comfort from the LDF’s relatively better performance in recent local body byelections. The victory in the Thrikkodithanam district panchayat division is being particularly cited by party leaders as a sign of the Left regaining ground in the district. “The victory in the Thrikkodithanam division is especially significant as it shows that the party is gaining back its ground,” a senior leader said. The leadership also points to the Students Federation of India’s (SFI) victories in a majority of colleges under Mahatma Gandhi University as another indication of renewed support for the Left among sections of the electorate.

Around 90 members, including district committee members, area committee delegates and district office-bearers of feeder organisations, are expected to participate in the meeting. General discussions will continue on Saturday (October 3, 2026), followed by the leadership’s reply.

CPI(M) central committee members T.M. Thomas Isaac, P. Rajeeve and P. Satheedevi, along with State secretariat members V.N. Vasavan, Saji Cherian, P.K. Biju, M.V. Jayarajan, P. Jayarajan and John Brittas, are scheduled to attend the meeting, which will conclude on Saturday evening with a public rally and public meeting.