Palakkad (Kerala) Nov 27 (IANS)

 Inaugurating the three-day meeting of the Kerala unit of the Communist Party of India-Marxist here Wednesday, party general secretary Prakash Karat said the plenum would serve as an occasion for introspection.

He said the plenum would be a means of strengthening and improving the party organisation. The meeting would also serve as a means of rectification of anything that needs correction, through a year-long campaign, he said. 

"The Kerala unit of our party is the biggest in terms of membership, and has a glorious heritage of leading innumerable struggles," Karat said. 

"Our one-year rectification campaign is meant to root out any arrogance, check extravagant life style, factionalism and any kind of malpractice. Since we are a communist party, we can rectify any wrongs. I am confident we can do it," Karat said. 

"Being a communist party means every member should be ready to serve the people, especially the working class," the 65-year-old Karat, whose family hails from Palakkad, said. 

The plenum will conclude Friday, and is expected to leave party rank and file in the state rejuvenated, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year. 

"People are now waiting for an alternative government as the Congress-led UPA government is neck deep in corruption, and the BJP's policies are the same as that of the Congress. The Left parties thus have to be strengthened, and it's best when the CPI-M gets more strengthened," Karat said. 

The three-day meeting will see discussions stemming from a report readied by state CPI-M secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, which will be presented at the meeting. 

Veteran party leader V.S. Achuthanandan hoisted the party flag at the meeting venue, marking the opening of the meeting.