2008-19th CPIM Party Congress

The 19th All India Party Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), held from March 29 to April 3, 2008, in Coimbatore, was a significant gathering that reflected the party’s response to both international and domestic political and economic dynamics. This period was marked by the unfolding global financial crisis and the CPI(M)’s opposition to the Indo-US nuclear deal, positioning the Congress as a critical juncture for reaffirming the party’s ideological stance and political strategy.

Background and Context

The year 2008 saw the onset of the global financial crisis, triggered by the collapse of the US housing market and spreading to other sectors, highlighting the vulnerabilities of neo-liberal economic policies. This crisis had profound implications for developing economies like India, where the CPI(M) had long criticized such policies for promoting inequality and neglecting the needs of the working class and peasants. Concurrently, the US was pursuing its strategic interests through economic and military means, aiming to maintain global dominance. This was met with resistance from various regions, with Latin American countries leading efforts to assert their independence and pursue alternative economic models, as noted in contemporary analyses Opposition to US Hegemony in Latin America.

In India, the CPI(M) was actively opposing the Indo-US nuclear deal, signed in 2005 and finalized in 2008, which it viewed as a compromise of India’s independence and a step towards aligning with US strategic interests. The party argued that the deal, part of a broader strategic partnership, could limit India’s strategic autonomy and align it with US positions on contentious issues like Iran, as detailed in CPI(M) on Indo-US Nuclear Deal. This opposition led to the withdrawal of support from the UPA government in July 2008, shortly after the Congress, underscoring its political significance.

Key Resolutions and Discussions

The Congress passed several key resolutions, reflecting its ideological and political priorities:

1. Struggles Against Neo-Liberal Policies:
   The Congress criticized neo-liberal policies for increasing economic inequality and deepening the agrarian crisis, price rise, and unemployment. It asserted that these issues could not be resolved without a fundamental change in economic policy, advocating for state-led development and social equity. Historical accounts from the time, such as CPI(M) Political Resolution 2008, highlight the party’s focus on reversing privatization, reducing fiscal deficits through progressive taxation, and increasing public investment in agriculture and infrastructure.
2. Relentless Struggle Against BJP-RSS Combine:
   The Congress called for a persistent struggle against the BJP-RSS combine, seen as promoting communalism and threatening secularism. This was particularly relevant given the rising communal tensions in India, with the BJP gaining political ground. The resolution emphasized the need for a secular, democratic alternative, as reported in Peoples Democracy on 19th Congress.
3. Enhancing Party Strength and Left Unity:
   The party stressed the importance of strengthening its organizational capabilities and fostering unity among left forces. This included enhancing the independent strength of the CPI(M) and working towards a united Left platform, as noted in CPI(M) Organizational Report 2008. The resolution called for united Left campaigns and struggles to highlight alternative policies, aiming to rally all Left and democratic forces.
4. Third Alternative Platform:
   The Congress laid down a platform for a third alternative to the Congress and the BJP, focusing on pro-people economic measures, robust social welfare programs, and an independent foreign policy that was uncompromisingly anti-communal. This platform included demands for land reforms, increased public spending on education and health, and opposition to imperialist interventions, as detailed in contemporary reports Business Standard on CPI(M) Resolutions. The anti-communal stance was particularly emphasized, given the party’s historical commitment to secularism.

Leadership Changes

The Congress resulted in significant organizational changes, ensuring a balance between continuity and transition:

• Central Committee: The Congress elected an 87-member Central Committee, as confirmed by CPI(M) Leadership Page. This body is the highest decision-making authority between Congresses, reflecting the party’s broad representation across states, particularly its strongholds in Kerala and West Bengal.
• Polit Bureau: The Central Committee elected a 15-member Polit Bureau, which handles executive functions between meetings. Notably, Comrade Jyoti Basu, a veteran leader and former Chief Minister of West Bengal, was relieved upon his request and made a special invitee to the Polit Bureau. Similarly, Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet, another prominent leader, was relieved and made a special invitee to the Central Committee. Comrade Prakash Karat was re-elected as General Secretary, ensuring leadership continuity during this critical period, as reported in Polit Bureau Members 19th Congress.

The full list of Polit Bureau members elected at the 19th Congress included:

Historical Significance and Unexpected Details

The 19th Congress was notable for its focus on a third alternative, which was unexpected given the party’s historical reliance on alliances with the Congress-led UPA. This shift underscored the CPI(M)’s intent to carve out an independent political space, particularly in the context of the nuclear deal controversy. Another unexpected detail was the relief of Jyoti Basu and Harkishan Singh Surjeet, both towering figures, signaling a generational transition within the party leadership.

Below is a table summarizing key details of the 19th Party Congress:

Another table detailing the political context: