There was rosemary tea, mint tea, Afghan tea and blue tea at the ‘naadan tea shop’ at the venue of the 23rd state conference of the Kerala CPI(M) in Kochi, which began on March 1. There was also the traditional `black tea', a drink synonymous with the revolutionary past of the CPI(M) in the state. This tea stall with all the new flavours, other than the black tea, is a metaphor of the “changing CPI(M)”.
Leaving behind the ideological rigidities of the past, the party is changing in tune with the times. The vision document presented by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan—that is aimed at “transforming the state into a New Kerala”—underlines these new aspirations. The CPI(M) is clearly dropping its reluctance towards private investment in various sectors and is set to welcome massive private investment in various sectors.
State unit secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the document was aimed at uplifting the standard of living in Kerala to be on par with developed, middle-income countries by the next 25 years. “Modern technology and latest knowhow from across the world should be exploited to lead Kerala into a new world of development,” Balakrishnan said. “The CPI(M) is not against private investment, but that should be allowed only with a government regulation,” he added.
This is quite a change for a party that had held a series of protests against starting self-financing colleges in the state.
“I had participated in the protests against self-financing colleges held in the 1990s and had got beaten up too. Now the same party is welcoming private investments with open hands. I am finding it strange,” said Sreejith. V, a former SFI leader who is not active these days. “May be CPI(M) too has decided to change its colour as per the changing times. It may have its own justifications. So I am not questioning its decision,” he added.
CPI(M) leaders, however, insisted that the draft policy for development of Kerala over the next 25 years did not deviate from Left politics. “Our opposition towards the private investment in education was to ensure social justice for the weaker sections. If self-financing colleges in Kerala are admitting students from merit list, the credit should go to the CPI(M), which had led several agitations,” said the state secretary.
According to the document, loans can be accepted without compromising the interests of the state. Stating that the obstacles on the path of development will have to be removed, the document also discussed the need for changes in the attitudes adopted by trade unions in various fields. The document will uphold ideological values of the party and give more stress on eco-friendly projects.
The CPI(M), which had a historic victory in the last assembly election by winning Kerala for the second consecutive time, has also decided to deepen its inroads into the minority community and is aiming at a “continuous rule”.
