That CPI(M) is essentially a `Kerala party'' is not a joke if the figures presented in the organisational report are anything to go by. According to it, half of the party members of the CPI(M) are from Kerala, literally.
The organisational report states that there are a total of 9,87,757 party card-holders in the country and out of this 5,27,174 members are from Kerala. The total number was 10,25,352 during the 2017 party congress held in Hyderabad - a loss of 39,595. The loss is in every state except Kerala where the number has grown from 4,63,472 to 5,27,174.
In West Bengal, a state where the party had ruled for decades - the number of party card-holders was 2,08,923 in 2017 and now it has come down to 1,60,827. Similarly, in Tripura where the party was in power for long years, the number has come down almost to half - 97,990 in 2017 to 50,612 in 2022. A similar decrease is there in all states - Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
There is a marginal increase in the number of party card-holders in TN, Bihar, Punjab and Delhi.
Meanwhile, the Central leadership today made it clear that there is no difference of opinion between the centre and Kerala unit with regard to the Silverline project. `"There is no contradiction in the central leadership and the Kerala party with regard to the Silverline. Certain sections in the media are creating false reports,'' CPI(M) general secretary Yechury said. The whole party is in support of the LDF government in this,'' he said.
Brinda Karat, a PB member, too said the same. "There is absolutely no difference in the party with regard to the K-Rail or any other developmental projects. You all be very clear about it,'' she told media persons. . The LDF govt has always taken into account the voice of the people and the government will do the same in the K-Rail too.