CPM divided on privatisation of higher education?

Kochi: The Kerala CPM (Communist Party of India (Marxist)) is reportedly divided in the privatisation of the higher education sector, Manorama reported, citing state Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's "CPM and Development Vision for Modern Kerala".

Vijayan's submission to the Kerala CPM's Party Conference suggested in favour of setting up of higher education institutions with private or public-private partnership along with institutions directly under government, in contrary to the draft political resolution prepared ahead of CPM's Party Congress scheduled in Kannur, which states that operations of private educational institutions must be regulated.

The draft resolution is under discussion among the party's lower-level committees. It will be presented at the party conference after including suggestions of these committees.

CPM's State Conference started in Kochi on Tuesday, and the party's State Secretariat member Anathalavattom Anandan hoisted the party flag. Party State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan presented the organisational report, regarding which will be the Wednesday's discussions. Thursday will table Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's "Nava Keralam." The conference, spread in four days, will prepare plans to refurbish the party and its functioning in the state. It will also bring up a blueprint for the state's development for the next 25 years.

The party will improve its connection with the public and expand voluntary activities such as palliative care, flood relief efforts, and Covid-19 pandemic relief. It has plans to strengthen the cooperative sector and will consider a proposal that seeks more party involvement in the sector. Political discussions are to be conducted on all party levels in regular intervals. It will prepare a development vision acceptable to the wealthy and upper-middle-class, Manorama reports.