Thiruvananthapuram: Despite political assertions and ideological grandstanding, the 24th Party Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which concluded in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, on Sunday, has left little impact on the landscape of India’s highly polarised national politics.
The triennial national meet elected senior Kerala leader M.A. Baby as the new General Secretary. The newly-formed Central Committee—CPI(M)’s highest decision-making body—includes a mix of fresh faces and seasoned leaders. Several veterans were left out due to the enforcement of the party’s age cap of 75, with the notable exception of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He was the only leader retained in the Politburo, thanks to a special exemption.
While delegates from all states participated, representation from traditional Left strongholds—Kerala, West Bengal, Tripura, and Tamil Nadu—dominated. As always, the delegates were chosen through an internal process beginning at the grassroots level, reflecting the party’s continued adherence to “democratic centralism,” a principle rooted in the era of the Communist International.
The Congress opened with the presentation of the draft political resolution by outgoing central coordinator Prakash Karat. This document, outlining the party’s political and tactical directions, formed the basis of deliberations over four days and was ultimately adopted with a few amendments and dissenting notes.
But beyond the procedural formalities, the larger question remains: did the party congress offer any coherent or pragmatic strategies to position CPI(M) as a credible force in national politics? The answer appears to be no.
The resolution itself conceded that “a key concern prevailing now within the party is that we have not been growing as we should, not increasing our independent strength.” Despite a declared emphasis on street struggles over electoral victories, this is an implicit acknowledgment of the party’s shrinking influence, especially in its former bastions of West Bengal and Tripura.
The document stressed the need to reinforce economic struggles with sustained political and ideological efforts to counter what it called the “Hindutva-corporate nexus.” However, this largely echoed familiar rhetoric, offering little in terms of a concrete roadmap to widen the party’s appeal or electoral base.
CPI(M) continues to be caught in a strategic dilemma within the national opposition landscape. While it aligns with the Congress-led I.N.D.I.A bloc to challenge the BJP at the Centre, it simultaneously adopts a fierce anti-Congress stance in Kerala—the only state where the party remains electorally relevant.
The selection of M.A. Baby as General Secretary underscores the party’s unwillingness to take risks or venture into new political territory. Some delegates had proposed Ashok Dhawale from Maharashtra—a prominent figure in farmers’ and workers’ movements—as a candidate. However, his bid failed to gain traction, especially among the powerful Kerala contingent, which threw its weight behind Baby.
A soft-spoken and non-controversial leader, Baby has remained largely absent from agitational politics in recent years. A former Education and Culture Minister in Kerala and a Rajya Sabha member, he hails from a backward class Christian community. His appointment signals continuity rather than change, reflecting the party’s comfort in maintaining status quo, especially as it clings to power in Kerala.
As such, the Madurai congress has done little to suggest that CPI(M) is preparing to reinvent itself or expand its national footprint. The biggest challenge now lies ahead—retaining power in Kerala, where assembly elections are just a year away.
A well-articulated and balanced analysis. It’s refreshing to see political commentary that informs rather than inflames.