The Nava Keralam document presented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State conference in Kollam rejects all communist ideals, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, MLA, said here on Friday.

The policy document certifies that the CPI(M) has embraced neo-liberal ideas and crony capitalism, contradicting its own long-standing policies and programmes, Mr. Chennithala told a press conference here. Mr. Vijayan is proving that he is not a communist by presenting a document that wholeheartedly embraces the very same things the CPI(M) has been opposing tooth and nail over the past 35 years, he said.

The Left, including the CPI(M) and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), had strongly opposed the economic liberalisation rolled out by the Union government under the leadership of Manmohan Singh in 1991. Since it is welcoming the very same policies now, the CPI(M) should explain why it blocked development in Kerala all these years, Mr. Chennithala said.  

On the recent narcotics-related incidents in the State, Mr. Chennithala said narcotics rings are  operating in Kerala because the State government lacks the willpower to crack them. The police can easily destroy such lobbies within 24 hours, he said. The focus should be on tracing the sources and only the police can do it, he said.  

Dalit conclave

Mr. Chennithala said that a Dalit Progressive Conclave will be held on March 23 in Thiruvananthapuram under the aegis of the Gandhi Gramam programme.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will inaugurate the conclave at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology. The conclave will highlight issues faced by Dalit communities.

Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, B.R. Ambedkar’s grandson Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar and MP and activist Thirumavalavan will address the inaugural function. Kodikunnil Suresh, the longest serving Lok sabha MP will be felicitated at the event. The Gandhi Gramam programme was initiated by Mr. Chennithala in 2010 when he was the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president.