After the Third Conference, and in the context of disputes within the Communist Party of Yugoslavia regarding national, agrarian, trade union, and other issues, two referendums were held among party members in Kuman.
The First Referendum
The first referendum took place in the spring of 1924. Its results are unknown, and local residents do not recall the position their organization took at the time.
The Second Referendum and the Local Organization’s Position
More is known about the second referendum. The party newspaper Okovani radnik reported that on September 27, 1924, the local party organization held a conference to discuss disputes within the Party. All members present unanimously agreed:
“There can be no question of splitting the Party, nor should there be. Anyone who attempts this will be firmly condemned. Disputes should be resolved through comrades’ criticism and self-criticism, acknowledging mistakes on both sides (factions).”
After a thorough discussion, it was concluded that opportunism can only be defeated through actions, and true leftist principles are demonstrated through deeds:
“We support Marxism not only in words but also in practice.”
The Kuman organization submitted its position in writing to the higher Party leadership. Similar positions were expressed by other organizations in Vojvodina.
The Regional Council Conference in Vojvodina
The Regional Council of KPJ for Vojvodina convened in December 1924 in Zrenjanin, at the home of tailor Janoš Bogner. Participants included Rajko Jovanović, CK delegate, Nikola Kovačević, PK delegate, and representatives from Zrenjanin, Mužlja, Nova Crnja, Vranjevo, Torda, and four delegates from Kuman – Lazar Blažić, Jovan Veselinov, Nova Stančić, and one other member.
The conference addressed the positions of sports associations, which opposed the illegal work of the KPJ, and also elected delegates for the Third KPJ Congress. Lazar Blažić, secretary of the Kuman KPJ organization, was chosen as a delegate.
Strength of the Kuman Organization
In 1924, Kuman had the largest KPJ organization in northern Banat, numbering around 40 members. Known members included Lazar Blažić, Jovan Veselinov, Nova Stančić, Milutin Stojić, Racko Čolić, Milutin Čolić, Milivoj Mečkić, Žarko Strajnić – Bađa, Steva Petrović, Ljuba Petrović, Luka Jelić, Đurica Jeremić, Dušan Tatić, and Čeda-Sergije Stančić.
The newspaper Okovani radnik also noted that during the Red Aid Week, Jovan Veselinov collected 124 dinars in donations for victims of white terror.
Ban of the NRPJ and Illegal Work
On July 12, 1924, the Independent Workers’ Party of Yugoslavia was banned, but its Kuman organization continued to operate illegally until March 1925.
1. Milica Blažić. A member of the CPY (Communist Party of Yugoslavia) since 1927.
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