While the Darjeeling district CPI-M has cancelled memberships of a number of members of the district unit for being ‘inactive,’ party leaders said almost an equal number of party activists was given membership this year.

The party carries out the membership drive during March every year. Last year, the party unit did not renew the membership of at least 10% (around 550) members after they were found to be inactive during the drive.

“We had more than 5,000 members after the completion of the renewal process last year. This year, we have cancelled the renewal of some members after we found them inactive, while some are ill. The move, however, has not affected the strength of the party, since some party activists have been given memberships, so the number of party members is almost the same (more than 5,000) in the district,” district party secretary Jibesh Sarkar said.

“The purge and the new membership are all part of the party’s plan to lay emphasis on active members, to strengthen the party with active and efficient comrades and ending all kinds of inactivity,” he added.

Mr Sarkar said the figure membership cancellation and new enrolment could not be exactly ascertained at the moment, as compilation was still going on.

The party carries out a performance evaluation between January and March every year before the membership programme. There are 17 area committees in the district, including three in the Hills. Party leaders said some members are weeded out for non-performance every year.

They added that many of the new members, including young people, belong to the tea belt. “The measures are aimed at strengthening the party. Focus is always laid on young and active blood in the party fold by the side of the experienced leaders. It is mandatory that the members pay membership fees for the renewal (Rs 5), levy (members who earn) and activists also donate a day’s income for the medical treatment of ailing leaders for the medical relief fund. They also need to attend party programmes regularly, participate in activities of mass organisations, stay connected with the people and read and subscribe to party organs/literature. Whoever fails to follow these is considered inactive. It is always better that we have fewer active and dedicated members than many inactive card holders,” a leader said.