A massive public rally on the Kozhikode beach on Tuesday evening marked the culmination of the three-day extended State committee meeting of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]. A large number of people, including party workers and sympathisers, thronged the beach to attend the event.

Opening a public meeting held thereafter, party national general secretary M.A. Baby said people should come forward to guide the CPI(M) by pointing out its mistakes, aberrations, and confusions. He said the extended meeting of the State committee was held against the backdrop of the electoral reverses suffered by the party and the Left Democratic Front in Keralam in recent times.

After the election defeat, the party held discussions among various sections of people and realised that it had committed certain mistakes. Steps were being taken to correct them, Mr. Baby said. He, however, pointed out that another reason for the debacle was the consolidation of all types of regressive forces and unleashing of false campaigns against the CPI(M).

One of them was related to an alleged deal between the party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Mr. Baby admitted that the CPI(M) could not effectively counter the creation of such “false perceptions.” He also alleged that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which engaged in that campaign through social media and other platforms, was also involved in backroom negotiations with the RSS. “V.D. Satheesan, who once lit a traditional lamp before a photo of the RSS former Sarsanghchalak M.S. Golwalkar, is capable of it,” he claimed.

Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, who spoke at the event, alleged that the UDF government had become subservient to the RSS agenda. Citing the recital of the full version of the national song, Vande Mataram, at the swearing-in ceremony of the new government as an example, the CPI(M) leader claimed that the practice had been continuing at other official events ever since.

Party State secretary M.V. Govindan, and senior State leaders were present at the event.