CPI (M) in the current decade

Ever since 2004 it is the Left, especially the CPI(M) that has provided oxygen to the UPA Government. In fact, with the kind of clout that this party enjoys in west Bengal and Kerala it is destined to play a very important role in the functioning of the central government in this era of coalitions. The important question is whether CPI(M) has the necessary ideological direction to meet the challenges of tomorrow?

by Shibani Dasgupta

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is basically a breakaway group of the Communist Party of India, the break happened in 1964,

 after the Chinese invasion of India in 1962 and though they have tried to work in unison thereafter, nobody denies that there are basic differences that have not been reconciled between the two groups.

Now, in the 44th year of its existence and going strong, CPI (M) and its sister parties in the Left Front have been supporting the Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the Centre and without a doubt has been creating waves if not stand offs with it.

According to economist Anthony Giddens, former Director London School of Economics, India needs a thoroughgoing debate about the future of the Left. The Congress Party seems to lack a clear ideological direction, while others expend their energies decrying American imperialism, offering few or no remedies for the future. But, the writer has admitted that self proclaimed communist parties still exist in India and indeed are partners in the current coalition.

Much to Mr. Gidden’s dismay, the Left parties are a reality that cannot be wished away at this juncture. They have as goes the proverb a finger in every pie. And CPI (M) is the most important amongst them. Collectively they have kept the Congress led UPA government alive, but not exactly kicking for the last three and a half years- from 2004 up to now and will hopefully continue to do so till 2009 when the terms of this present government ends in May 2009.

With about 35 out of 42 Lok Sabha seats from West Bengal in the hands of CPI(M)  in West Bengal and a almost three fourths of the 25 odd seats in Kerala, which political alliance can ignore the CPI(M) when it has to form the central government?

Guided by the spirit of welfare of the poor and the down-trodden and equitable distribution of finances, resources earnings for the rich and the poor, Communists cannot be wished away from India in several decades, in spite of the move towards free, radical open market system or capitalist origins.

Several leading lights of the CPI (M) have left their indelible mark on the Communist movement in India. They include Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet, one of the founders of the party. He was elected to the politbureau of the Communist Party of India in 1954 at the third Party Congress. He was elected general secretary of the Central Committee of CPI (M) in 1992 at the 14th Party Congress, held in Madras. He was elected general secretary in 15th, 16 and 17th Congresses and is currently a member of the Politbureau. Only old age has confined him to his home.

The next most important person in the CPI (M) hierarchy is former Chief Minister of West Bengal and pater familia Jyoti Basu, who is officially retired but still active, politically.

Mr. Basu was born on July 8, 1914 in Kolkata and educated at St Xavier’s School and College and Presidency College, Calcutta and Bar at Law from Middle Temple, London. He was initiated into Marxism and politics while in UK and came in close association with Harry Politt and Rajani Palme Dutt, Ben Bradley and other leaders of the Communist Party of Great Britain. After an active political career as an elected state opposition member in West Bengal Assembly between 1946 and 1969, he was Deputy Chief Minister of two United Front Governments in 1967 and 1969. Was sworn in as Chief Minister in June 1977 and headed the Left Front governments for five consecutive terms. He relinquished office as CM in November 2000, but till date has been a guiding force in the state and Central politbureau.

Out of the current and younger crop of active members in the party is Prakash Karat aged 56 years and general secretary of CPI (M). He graduated from Madras Christian College and was awarded medal for best outgoing student for all-around activities. Is a post graduate degree (politics) from University of Edinburgh and joined CPI (M) in 1970. After a very active political career including working underground during the internal emergency of 1975-77, he was elected to the Poloitbureau in1992 and Secretary General of the party in 2003-04, after Comrade Surjeet’s tenure ended. He is married to Ms Brinda

Karat, fellow member of Central Committee and politbureau of the party.

Another important leader and public face of CPI (M) is Sitaram Yechury now 55 years of age who joined CPI (M) in 1975. After a very active career with Student’s Federation of India and after joining the CPI (M) central committee in 1985, he was promoted to the Politbureau in 1992. he is currently a member of Politbureau, head of the International Department and Editor of CPI (M)s central weekly Peoples’ Democracy.

The CPI (M) also has a set of very important regional leaders who render backbone service to the central party of CPI (M) starting with Comrade VS Achutanandan, current Chief Minister of Kerala and member Politbureau. He entered politics through trade unions and joined state Congress in 1939. He was among the 32 comrades who left CPI National Council in 1964 to form the CPI (M).

Comrade Pinarayi Vijayan also of Kerala and a factional contender of the Chief Ministership joined politics through the student’s movement and was elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly several times since 1070.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharyajee joined CPI (M) in 1966 and has to his credit several roles and office from West Bengal. Is currently member of CPI (M) Politbureau.

Though like any other political party CPI (M) too has patches of violent history behind it ( as recent events in West Bengal and Kerala) have shown, these leaders have provided the softer, urbane and positive faces of the party. The collective powers of these leaders have been able to turn, mould and engineer the face of politics in the country for several decades.