The Bengal CPM has decided to intensify its focus on the rights and demands of the LGBTQ+ community, an issue discussed at the party’s recently concluded 26th state conference.

The party in an unprecedented decision nominated a member of the community, Apratim Roy, 31, to take part in the state meet. Roy, a former SFI office secretary, took part in the conference that elected Md Salim as the state party secretary.

The Calcutta district unit of the party will also set up a dedicated mass organisation for the community.

A senior party leader said that representation of LGBTQ+ community members in the political system is common in the CPM-ruled Kerala and in Tamil Nadu the party is working towards bringing queer people to the forefront. “But this is probably the first time that a member of the LGBTQ+ community had a representation at a state-level conference,” the leader said.

Speaking to this paper, Roy said the ideology of the party found natural acceptance among the queer community. Roy added that while the LGBTQ+ people were strongly opposed to the BJP’s “divisive, gender insensitive and patriarchal” politics, they also feel “taken for granted by Trinamul”.

“Trinamul has used a section of this community for political benefits. Some of them have made benefits out of the government and tried to drag our community members towards the ruling party,” Roy said.

Referring to the appointment of Manabi Banerjee — India’s first transgender college principal — as the head of the Krishnagar Women’s College, Roy said that since then little had been done for the development of the community as a whole.

At the 25th Calcutta district conference of the party — which ended in early March — a resolution to constitute a dedicated LGBTQ+ organisational wing was unanimously passed.

When asked if the CPM was planning to set up a dedicated organisation for the LGBTQ+ people at the state level, Roy, involved in formation of the organisation for the party’s Calcutta unit for the community, said the party would take “positive steps” for the community in future. Sources said Roy had spoken to both Salim and party's general secretary Sitaram Yechury during the conference on issues concerning the community.

“I have been involved with this community since I was a minister and later when I was the Raiganj MP. Even my own party members had questioned the necessity of such an involvement. The primary job is to sensitise people on this issue,” new CPM state secretary Salim told The Telegraph.

Sources said the party is mulling to set up a state-level dedicated mass organisation to work with the queer community. However, the formation of a state-level organisation will depend on how the Calcutta unit operates, a source added.

“The Calcutta unit has broken barriers. At the state level we will be strengthening our relationships with organisations that work on LGBTQ+ issues,” Md Salim said.

The CPM’s move to include LGBTQ+ issues as part of its movement stands out as other mainstream political parties are yet to take the leap, said a LGBTQ+ community member who has been vocal in demanding that their concerns should not be ignored by the political class.