CPI(M) Revamps Leadership with M A Baby at Helm Amid Major Internal Shift

Politics Politics of India

Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-04-07 08:59:42 |

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In a significant leadership shakeup, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] elected veteran Kerala leader M A Baby as its new general secretary during the recently concluded national congress. This transition marks a generational shift in the party, with several senior leaders stepping down due to the age cap of 75 years set during the previous congress in 2022. Despite this rule, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, aged 79, was granted an exemption to remain in the Politburo.

The conclave also brought eight new members into the Politburo and inducted 30 fresh faces into the 84-member Central Committee, reinforcing the party’s commitment to rejuvenation. Among the new Politburo members are leaders from key party wings including AIKS general secretary Vijoo Krishnan, AIDWA’s Mariam Dhawale, and youth leader R Arun Kumar, symbolizing a move towards grassroots representation.

While M A Baby's election was ultimately uncontested, internal discussions revealed some regional preferences, with Maharashtra and Bengal units favoring AIKS president Ashok Dhawale for the top post. A rare secret ballot was held for the Central Committee election, adding a rare democratic twist to the usually consensus-driven party process.

Despite the internal reorganization, CPI(M) faces uphill challenges — a sharp decline in parliamentary presence, weakening strongholds in Bengal and Tripura, and the need to secure a third term in Kerala. The party also struggles to convert its pro-poor and pro-worker rhetoric into electoral traction despite ongoing socio-economic issues.

In his post-election remarks, Baby acknowledged the urgent need to expand CPI(M)’s influence nationally and counter what he called the “neo-fascist” tendencies of the ruling BJP. The path forward, he noted, lies in reviving grassroots activism and deepening the party’s local presence.

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