AGARTALA, Dec 13 (TIWN): As the CPI-M heads into its plenum at Kolkata at year end (Dec 27-31), a key element of the debate would be how to place Congress in the party's political line and what kind of ties it must have with India's oldest political party.Many party leaders in West Bengal have strongly pitched for an alliance -- at leats a seat sharing arrangement -- with the Congress in the next West Bengal state elections due in early 2016.But Kerala and Tripura leaders, specially former general secretary Prakash Karat and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, seem opposed to a tie up with the Congress.Bengal leaders like former minister Gautam Deb have already gone on record that the only way to fight the Trinamul 'terror machine' in Bengal is to join up with the Congress. And there is no question of a tie up with the 'communal' BJP.The Congress is also enthusiastic about it , specially local Bengal leaders.Even Bengal Left Front chairman Biman Bose has not ruled out the possibility but said : "This will be worked out next year."Manik Sarkar and the Kerala leaders still see the Congress as their prime challenge in their own state."This understanding is not helping us . We have severe differences with the Congress on the economic front, but to save the idea of India and its secularism, a broad front is needed and the Congress and the Left must be part of it," said a top Bengal CPI-M leader.

But he was not willing to be quoted because he is not authorised by his party to brief media.

CPi-M politburo member S. Ramachandran Pillai told reporters that the party is making a serious introspection on the three most important aspects, including organisational matters.

"One is the political line we have been pursuing for the last 25 years. Is anything wrong? What is wrong and what is the correction required? Second aspect is based on that understanding and formulating the new political line. That is the political resolution we are adopting," he said.

Pillai said while two important tasks have been completed by the party congress, they will hold a plenum on organisational matters before the end of this year.

The draft on organisational matters will be finalised and presented to the plenum.

The party last held a plenum on organisational matters in 1978 at Salkia, which gave specific directives for the expansion of the CPI-M.

Subsequent party congresses also undertook reviews of the organisation.

Still shortcoming and weaknesses are continuing. "Even after reviews, the CPI-M has not been able to register substantial progress and increase its independent strength," Pillai  said.