The Communist Party of India-Marxist on Tuesday paid homage to its leaders and workers killed in political violence in West Bengal, its former bastion.
The 21st Congress of the CPI-M, which began in this coastal city, hailed the sacrifices made by its cadres.
"We have paid homage 99 martyrs who laid down their lives in West Bengal since our last party Congress. Their sacrifices will not go in vain. We shall overcome and prevail with the support of the people," party general secretary Prakash Karat said at the inaugural session.
"From this forum of the party Congress I greet tens of thousands of our party and left cadres and supporters who are courageously fighting terror tactics of Trinamool Congress and defending the movement," he said.
Karat also noted that many of the party leaders from West Bengal could not attend the conclave due to municipal elections in the state.