CPM all set to reach market through People’s Democracy

‘‘Expanding the cadre-base will be the major objective of the circulation drive. We will be launching a market campaign, but it will be a targeted campaign,’’ says MP Sitaram Yechury, the magazine’s editor.

People’s Democracy has a circulation of about 25,000 copies, says Yechury; an annual subscription to the magazine costs Rs 200.

Alongside the cadre expansion plans, some streamlining of the circulation network will also be made. Published from Kolkata, Hyderabad and now from Tamil Nadu, as well, Kolkata copies could be sent to the North-east and Orissa to overcome postal delays.

The campaign will also cover other CPI(M) publications, such as The Marxist, a theoretical quarterly; the Hindi paper Lok Lehar and the Urdu one, Shabtaab.

‘‘There is now a recognition that a vast market is available and is expanding in the middle class,’’ observed Yechury. ‘‘We have to reach out to it. The possibility needs to be explored.’’

The party has some base in middle class organisations—among teachers, bank and insurance employees, for instance—and it expects members to work on colleagues to turn them to the cause.