Reporter’s Diary: CPM faces heat on social media after D Raja’s elevation in CPI

Raja is the first Dalit leader who rose to the post of party general secretary on July 21 after incumbent party chief Sudhakar Reddy stepped down due to ill health.

While the appointment of Raja, a media-savvy leader, was hailed by one and all across the political spectrum, the CPM has come under the criticism on social media for not having a leader from Dalit or Tribal community in its politburo.

The criticism has been severe in the State, the home of the social justice movement. Ever since the Marxist party supported the 10 per cent economic-based quota for the general category in Parliament, the ardent supporters of the Dravidian ideology, including DMK cadres, were highly critical of the CPM for its “betrayal.” More so after the CPM reiterated its stand in the all-party meeting called by the State government over the implementation of the 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker section in the medical counselling. Some social media users called the CPM as a Brahminical party as its leadership was dominated by leader from that community.

The criticism is likely to continue until the Marxist party elevates its party leaders hailing from Dalits and Tribal community to its top decision-making body.