Kollam to host CPI state meet today

KOLLAM: Draped in red flags, festoons and illuminations, the city is all set to play host to the 21st CPI State Conference. Rallies heralding the event from various parts of the state would culminate at the P K Solomon Nagar at Cantonment Maidan here at 6 p m on Tuesday.Party national executive member C Divakaran would receive the flag mast which would be brought to the venue from the Martyrs Memorial at Sooranad. The party flag, will be brought from Kayyur. The banner of the state conference would be brought from Neyyattinkara.  The torch rally from Vayalar led by G Krishnaprasad would be welcomed by CPI State Secretary C K Chandrappan.The public meeting which follows would be inaugurated by national executive member D Raja.  Mullakkara Ratnakaran MLA would preside over the function. Veteran leader Veliyam Bhargavan would hoist the flag at P A Solomon Nagar marking the beginning of the state conference. Cultural programmes led by Jayaraj Warrier would be held at 7 p m. The delegates meet would be inaugurated by party national secretary A B Bardhan on Wednesday at J Chitharanjan Nagar at Town Hall here. As many as 603 delegates, including 429 delegates representing various districts, would attend the delegates meet. The registration for the delegate meet would begin at 9 a m and party state executive member C A Kurien would hoist the flag at the venue. A seminar on Comprehensive Development of Kerala would be held at 5.30 p m at J  Chitharanjan Nagar. C Divakaran MLA would be the moderator of the seminar, which would be inaugurated by Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan.Former Revenue Minister K P Rajendran would present the topic and KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, RSP general secretary T J Chandrachoodan, Socialist Janata (Democratic) state President M P Veerendrakumar, noted economist Prabhat Patnaik would participate in the seminar. After the seminar, playback singer M G Sreekumar would present a concert at P A Solomon Nagar.