CPM leaders said one of the most significant upshots of the meeting would be the review of support to the Manmohan Singh government at the centre.
A powerful section of CPM leaders from Kerala are at the forefront of leaders who think the traditional ideological differences between Congress and the Left should dictate ties with the government.
They argue that the policies and programmes of CPI-M are considerably getting diluted and often ridiculed under the Manmohan government.
Harkishen Singh Surjeet said it was only the CPM that could create a viable third alternative; but he made it clear that such an alternative 'cannot be reduced to the concept of an electoral alliance. It has to be a common policy platform and willingness to conduct joint activities and struggles'.
He said the Left parties recognised the Congress as a secular party.
"As the biggest political party in the country, its role has a relevance in determining the secular character of the Statge at this juncture. It was this concern that led us to extend our support to the Congress-led UPA Government. A Government has to fulfill the people's mandate," Surjeet said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Budhdeb Bhattacharya with other CPM leaders at the meet.
Photograph: Sondeep Shankar/ Saab Press