The five-day plenum of the CPI (M) has begun in Kolkata today. The open session of the party-meet began with a massive rally at the Brigade Parade grounds this afternoon. Senior party leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharya is presiding over the open session. ?Senior Politburo member Biman Basu unfurled the party flag at the rally, marking the start of the Plenum. <br/><br/>Party general secretary Sitaram Yechury offered floral homage to the party martyrs?'? ?memory? on this occasion.? Earlier talking to media-persons in Kolkata, Mr Yechury said, the Plenum will help in formulating steps to streamline and strengthen the Party in the changed context. He said, it will enable the CPI (M)'s turn around prior to a very important battle-the Assembly elections in West Bengal.<br/><br/>Over 400 leaders including the Politburo and Central committee members are attending the meet called after 37 years in Kolkata. Top CPI-M leaders, including Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Politburo member Prakash Karat, Brinda Karat, former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and leader of opposition in West Bengal Assembly Surjyakanta Mishra are also attending the CPI-M's rally. Meanwhile, a large number of processions by party supporters reaching the rally venue has clogged major roads of Kolkata today.? Our correspondent reports that the rally is being seen as a show of strength by the party in the run up to the Assembly elections in Bengal.

the five-day plenum of the CPI (M) has begun in Kolkata today. Over 400 leaders including the Politburo and Central committee members are attending the meet. The open session of the party-meet that has been called after 37 years in Kolkata, will be held along with a massive rally at the Brigade Parade grounds in the afternoon.<br/><br/>Briefing media-persons about the event in Kolkata, the party General Secretary, Sitaram Yechury said, the Plenum will help in formulating steps to streamline and strengthen the Party in the changed context. He said, it will enable the CPI (M)'s turn around prior to a very important battle-the Assembly elections in West Bengal.<br/><br/>AIR correspondent reports that the plenum is being held at a time when Marxists, having lost the power in West Bengal after 34 years of rule to Trinamool Congress, are trying to regain the support-base in the State.