We are in the process of self critical assessment: CPI(M)

The CPI(M) leadership today said the party in its Plenum session is going through the process of self critical assessment of the situation and introspection of organisational lacunae.
"We meet not to criticise, but we meet to conduct the process of self critical assessment of the situation and various organisational aspects," CPI(M) Politburo member Mohammed Salim said while addressing a press conference on the third day of party's Plenum session.
Salim said the Plenum was discussing various organisational lacunae, problems and challenges that the party was facing.
Salim's comment comes in the backdrop of questions being raised in the closed door meet of the party yesterday, where some leaders questioned the lack of sufficient democratic atmosphere within the party.

"Some leaders have raised the issue of lack of proper democratic atmosphere in the party in the name of democratic centralism," a CPI(M) leader said on the condition of anonymity.
When Salim was questioned about reports of leaders questioning over lack of democracy within the party, Salim said "Our party follows the principle of democratic centralism. At times there may be more emphasis on either democracy or centralism. The duty of the party organisation is to maintain a balance between both democratic ways and centralism."

The CPI(M)'s organisational lacunae have come out in open after it faced a drubbing in the last few elections in West Bengal.

Salim said the party was also discussing the aspects of infusing more fresh blood in the party.
"We are in the continuous process of inducting young people, training, retaining and inducting them into the leadership," Salim said.
Earlier on many occasions disgruntled leaders have accused the CPI(M) of lack in inner party democracy and a tendency of imposing decisions from the top.