Convention on minorities to begin today

The CPM’s state committee is holding a special convention on Saturday to discuss the development of minorities and the role the party members are expected to play in it.

The convention, a first of its kind organised by the party in the state, is aimed at highlighting the role the party played to uplift the minorities, especially Muslims. An advertisement published in the CPM organ Ganashakti on Friday states that the state committee is holding a “central convention” to discuss “Minorities development and our responsibilities”.

While party’s Muslim leaders — at all levels — are aware of the convention, they are extra cautious not to divulge details.“I don’t know what’s on agenda. It is a party decision and I am not in a position to comment,” said Abdus Sattar, the state’s minister for minorities development and welfare and madrasa education.

The minister for land and land reforms, Abdur Rezzak Molla, said the convention is meant for discussing issues concerning the minorities.

“Biman Bose (CPM’s state secretary) and Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee are expected to speak at the convention. I am not aware who the other speakers are.”

Party sources told The Indian Express that the convention has two aspects. The first is to highlight the status of minorities before the CPM came to power and what the party has done during its three-decade rule. The second is to highlight what the CPM wants to do in future.

A booklet, carrying a comparative study of the status of minorities (Muslims) of the time preceding the CPM rule, will be released.