Date:01/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/01/stories/2008120159880800.htm

Tamil Nadu

CPI State headquarters to get a new building

B. Kolappan

CHENNAI: Balan Illam, headquarters of the State unit of the CPI, on South Boag Road in T.Nagar is being demolished to pave way for a six-storied structure.

“The new building will have an auditorium, a conference hall, a library and offices for the party organ Janasakthi and a proposed satellite channel. We have already obtained permission for the construction,” says party’s assistant secretary C. Mahendran.

The party has mobilised funds by “collecting a minimum of Rs.5 from 1 crore people.” “Six months ago we started the collection and it is still on. We are also taking bank loan for the purpose,” says Mr. Mahendran.

Balan Illam, named after CPI leader K. Balathandayutham, who was killed in a plane crash along with Mohan Kumaramangalam, was inaugurated in 1975.

The property was owned by dancer Udayasankar, who was running a dance school there. He agreed to sell the property to the CPI, though many others offered a higher amount to buy it.

“We are renting out the space to meet the growing financial needs of the party. We are planning to appoint more full-time workers. As a Communist Party we cannot collect money from individuals and others sources,” Mr. Mahendran explains.

He said though the Janasakthi was doing well in terms of readership, the party was reeling under pressure to meet the day-to-day expenditure for its management.