CPM to make house visits regular feature

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM state secretariat has asked party committees to make house visits a regular feature in their respective areas to build a direct connection with the people.

The secretariat felt that the house visits conducted by the party leaders from July 22 to July 28 had evoked tremendous response from the people. Top leaders of CPM including members of politburo, central committee, state secretary, state committee members and district secretaries took part in the house visits and interacted with the people freely.

It is in this backdrop that the secretariat believes that house visits need to be made a permanent feature rather than restricting it to just campaign mode. The secretariat pointed out that house visits would be helpful in allaying the apprehensions of people, especially women, about the party's stand on controversial issues like Sabarimala. During the last house visit programme, the party leaders were confronted by families with questions on Sabarimala. Many felt that the LDF Government had shown undue haste.

However, the party leaders managed to convince them that the government had no other option as it was the constitutional duty to implement the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala. The BJP and Congress took opportunistic stand. Initially they welcomed the verdict ensuring gender equality and later they backed off for vested political reasons.

The secretariat felt that continuous education of people on such issues is required to counter the opposition propaganda against the CPM and Left on Sabarimala issue.  The house visits also provide an opportunity to the leaders understand the views of people on the party and its policies. The leaders should listen patiently to the criticism, suggestions and concerns.  Only such an exercise will help in involving the people in a big way in party's day-to-day planning and activities. This was also crucial in finalising the road map for future, the secretariat felt.