Did not correctly gauge gravity of situation: CPI(M) on Munnar

An embarrassed CPI(M) in Kerala today admitted that the party leadership had failed to correctly gauge the seriousness of the situation arising out of the successful all women plantation stir in Munnar and said it has decided to examine the reason for its "lapses".
"Local party leaders and the trade union wing CITU failed to gauge the seriousness of the situation arising out of the strike by women plantation workers in Munnar. The party has decided to examine the reason for the lapses," CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told reporters here today.
Taking the successful strike by women workers of Kannan Devan Hill Plantation in Munnar as a message, the party has decided to be in the forefront of all agitations by people and workers in the state, he said.

On September 13, the agitators, mostly Tamil speaking women, ended their nine-day apolitical stir with the KDHPC management agreeing to their major demands.
Balakrishnan alleged that workers in textile units, jewellery shops and unaided educational institutions were being exploited and said the party would intervene to get their grievances redressed.
On the demand of Rs 500 daily wages to workers in the plantation sector, Balakrishnan said it was justifiable and government should intervene to ensure that workers get it.

The two-day state committee meeting that concluded yesterday decided to take up a massive campaign against the "communal agenda" of RSS-BJP across the state, he said.

More than 25,000 "secular gatherings'" in the state would be held with like-minded people between Sept 26 and Oct 2, he said.
"A deliberate attempt by BJP-RSS to create communal polarisation with an eye on vote bank is being carried out in the state," he said and added that the Sangh Parivar's move would not succeed in Kerala.