Amid talks of a “rectification process”, the Bengal unit of the CPM is scheduled to meet on November 28 and 29 to discuss the details, and the meeting will likely be attended by general secretary Prakash Karat.

Today, prior to a state committee meeting, the executive body of the committee discussed the issue.

Though the politburo wants the state unit to enforce the rectification guidelines among its rank and file, a section of party leaders believes it will trigger allegations and counter-allegations. “It will be very difficult for the party to purge leaders from any level because in the past 32 years, party cadres have become habituated with malpractices,” said a senior CPM leader. “Tens of thousands cannot be purged.”

The Central Committee of the party has already prepared a document detailing the problems and it will be placed before the state committee in the meeting.

Party sources said for 3,20,000-odd party card holders, the rectification drive will prove to be an absurd idea because using government positions, many of them are engaged in real estate business and have registered themselves as government contractors.

“The lifestyle of our cadres has changed... who will rectify this. If we try to keep all the corrupt people out of the party, there are fears of large-scale exodus from the party,” said a senior party leader.