Kolkata, Feb 6 (Inditop.com) The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Saturday said it would defer its party congress to a later date next year after assembly elections in Kerala and West Bengal are over.

Addressing a crowded media meet here, CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat also announced that an extended meeting of the party central committee will be convened in August to decide on the tactical line to be adopted in the current situation.

The CPI-M, which organises its party congress every three years, was scheduled to hold it in the first quarter of 2011.

“In view of assembly elections in four states – West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam – particularly in West Bengal and Kerala, which is very important for our party, we cannot go into the conference schedule,” Karat said.

The CPI-M top leader said that it takes six-to-seven months to complete conferences from the branch level upto the Congress.

The date for the congress will be announced later.

“In the meanwhile, an extended meeting of the central committee will be convened. This will be held in August.”

“Delegates from all states will participate in the extended meeting where we will decide on the tactical line to be adopted in the current situation,” Karat said.