New Delhi: The Central Committee of the Communist Party Marxist (CPM) began its meeting today (May 16, 2004) to decide on the crucial issue of whether to participate in the Congress-led Government at the Centre.

The meeting assumes significance in the wake of sharp differences within the party politburo on the issue of joining a Congress-led coalition Government, although the party had reiterated its commitment for the formation of a secular Government led by Congress Parliamentary Party leader Sonia Gandhi.

Elections 2004-Where is India heading...
Political Parties in India

Among those attending the meeting are party general secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya, veteran Communist leader Jyoti Basu, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Senior party leader Somnath Chatterjee, politburo members Sitaram Yechury, Prakash Karat, S Ramachandran Pillai, P Vijayan, V S Achutanandan and CITU leader M K Pandhey.

The party after its marathon politburo meeting yesterday (May 15, 2004) had left the issue to the Central Committee.

A strong section of party led by hardline leaders of Kerala unit are of the view that joining Congress-led Government at the Centre would prove detrimental to its interest particularly in States like Kerala and West Bengal.