2012 -20th CPIM Party Congress

The 20th All India Party Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), held from April 4 to 9, 2012, in Kozhikode, Kerala, was a significant political event that reflected the party’s response to both international and domestic challenges. This Congress was particularly notable given the global economic crisis, domestic political shifts, and the party’s recent electoral setbacks in West Bengal, making it a critical juncture for reassessing strategies and reaffirming ideological commitments.

Background and Context

The years leading up to the 20th Congress were marked by the global financial crisis that began in 2007-08, leading to widespread protests against neo-liberal economic policies. In Tunisia and Egypt, popular uprisings overthrew pro-US authoritarian regimes, though the US and its allies maneuvered to divert and hijack these revolts, often supporting Islamist groups to maintain influence. In Latin America, Left-wing governments, such as those in Venezuela and Bolivia, continued to advance, challenging neo-liberalism through regional cooperation like CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), formed in December 2011, excluding the US and Canada.

In India, the CPI(M) had withdrawn support from the UPA-I government in 2008 over the Indo-US nuclear deal, viewing it as a compromise of national sovereignty and alignment with US strategic interests. Despite this, the UPA government survived through alleged bribery and inducing defections, a controversial move that highlighted political instability. Post-2009 Lok Sabha elections, the UPA-II government, led by Congress, pushed through disinvestment and privatization policies, exacerbating economic inequalities. High-level corruption scandals, such as the 2G spectrum scam (estimated loss Rs. 57,000 crore to Rs. 1.76 lakh crore), further eroded public trust. The government also entered into a closer relationship with the US, deepening strategic ties, which the CPI(M) opposed as subservience to imperialism.

Domestically, the CPI(M)-led Left Front suffered a significant setback in the 2011 West Bengal Assembly elections, losing power after 34 years. This defeat was followed by severe attacks on the party, with over 550 CPI(M) and Left supporters killed since the 19th Congress, and 59 killed post-May 2011, amid violence by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and police. This period also saw the capture of party offices and arrests, underscoring the party’s vulnerability in its traditional stronghold.

Key Resolutions and Discussions

The Congress adopted a comprehensive political resolution, covering a wide range of issues, as detailed in the political resolution adopted at the Congress (Political Resolution Adopted at 20th Congress):

1. International Situation:
   • Highlighted the global economic crisis since 2007-08, driven by finance capital, with protests against neo-liberalism, such as Occupy Wall Street in 70 US cities and 82 countries.
   • Noted imperialism shifting the crisis burden to developing countries, with NATO interventions in West Asia, including regime change in Libya and targeting Syria, and oil bans on Iran from July 1, 2012.
   • Addressed the Eurozone debt crisis, with Greece most affected, facing austerity measures deepening recession, and called for debt restructuring.
   • Reported unemployment at 8.6% in developed countries (2011), 9% in the US since 2009, and youth joblessness at 18% (2011), with income inequality where the richest 10% earned 9 times the poorest 10% in OECD countries, and the top 1% in the US holding more wealth than the bottom 90%.
   • Supported Left governments in Latin America, such as Venezuela and Bolivia, for showing alternatives to neo-liberalism, and promoted regional cooperation like CELAC and ALBA.
   • Advocated for equitable climate change agreements, noting developed countries caused 74% of CO2 emissions, while developing countries 26%, and opposed the Durban 2011 tilt favoring advanced capitalist countries.
   • Called for resisting imperialist hegemony, building progressive alternatives, and supporting socialist countries like China (GDP growth 8.7% in 2009, 10.3% in 2010) and Vietnam (6.78% growth in 2010).
2. South Asian Region:
   • Addressed Pakistan’s extremist violence and US drone attacks, calling for isolating fundamentalists and ending subordinate US relations for a democratic system.
   • Supported Bangladesh’s secular measures, foiled coup plots, and advocated enhancing India-Bangladesh cooperation, including resolving the Teesta water accord.
   • Pushed for Nepal’s Maoist integration agreement and a new Constitution for republican democracy, ensuring peace process completion.
   • Promoted democratic measures in Myanmar, noting Aung San Suu Kyi’s win in 43/44 seats in 2010 elections, and called for India’s assistance in democratic transition.
   • Advocated for Tamil political settlement in Sri Lanka post-LTTE, addressing displacement and pushing for autonomy, with India mediating for rehabilitation.
3. National Situation:
   • Critiqued UPA-II’s neo-liberal policies, with price rise (WPI 9.1% in Nov 2011, food inflation >10% for 38 months), and corruption scandals like 2G (Rs. 57,000 cr-1.76 lakh cr loss).
   • Opposed FDI in multi-brand retail (51% proposed), pharma (100% allowed, MNCs dominate top 5 sellers), and mining opened to corporates (63% private iron ore, 45% exported 2009-10).
   • Noted economic slowdown (GDP 7% in 2011-12 vs 8.5% prior), employment growth 0.8% (2005-10) vs 2.7% (2000-05), and called for increased public investment, reversing tax-GDP ratio fall to 9.5% (2010-11) from 12% (2007-08).
   • Highlighted agrarian crisis with 256,913 farmer suicides (1995-2010), agriculture growth 3% (2007-12), foodgrain availability 438g/day (2010) vs 510g (1991), demanding farmer commission recommendations, remunerative prices, and universal PDS at Rs. 2/kg.
   • Addressed land acquisition protests in 40 districts, 17 states, 14 killed in UP, Mahamumbai SEZ cancelled, calling for Land Acquisition Bill protecting small landowners.
   • Demanded strong Lokpal, confiscating black money (GFI estimates $462 billion, Rs. 23 lakh cr, illicit outflows 1991-2008), scrapping Mauritius DTAA, combating corporate-politician nexus.
   • Fought communalism with 791 incidents (2009, 119 deaths), 658 (2010, 111 deaths), exposing Hindutva extremism (Malegaon, Ajmer blasts), mobilizing against RSS-BJP, protecting minorities.
   • Opposed Maoist violence, noting 210 CPI(M) cadres killed in West Bengal, Jnaneshwari Express 149 killed, calling for ideological fight and mobilizing against TMC ties.
   • Pushed for peace talks in North East, withdraw AFSPA, replicate Tripura’s tribal-non-tribal unity model.
   • Advocated scaling down forces in J&K, dismantle security structures, promote political dialogue, with 120 youth killed in 2010 protests.
   • Opposed Telangana state division, ensured regional autonomy for backward areas.
   • Supported women’s rights, child sex ratio 914/1000 (2011), 42% children malnourished, MGNREGA women wages 25-30% below minimum, pushing Women’s Reservation Bill, legislating against sexual assault.
   • Demanded implementing Sachar Committee recommendations for Muslims, addressing socio-economic disparities.
4. Education:
   • Noted India ranked 134/187 in HDI (2011), 26% illiteracy (35% female), mean schooling 4.4 years (vs global 7.4), higher education enrolment 15% (vs global 26%), education expenditure <3% GDP (2010-11).
   • Critiqued Right to Education Act for inadequate funding, ignoring disabled children, promoting privatization (2,500 PPP model schools).
   • Opposed neo-liberal policies centralizing/commercializing education, e.g., Foreign Educational Institutions Bill, National Commission for Higher Education undermining autonomy.
   • Highlighted 27% OBC reservation not implemented, vacancies unfilled, private institutions profiteering, BJP states communalizing curriculum.
   • Addressed student/teacher rights curbed, e.g., banned student union elections, TMC violence in West Bengal, SFI struggles in Kerala (2011, police injured hundreds).
   • Advocated access, equity, quality in education for all, demanded central legislation for fee/admission regulation in private institutions, ensured social justice.
5. Healthcare:
   • Reported public health expenditure 1.2% GDP, 70% healthcare costs out-of-pocket, NRHM corrupt, urban health mission shelved, public insurance schemes limited (BPL only), drug prices increased with MNC entry, unethical clinical trials post-2005 amendment.
   • Demanded universal free public healthcare, increase expenditure to 5% GDP, strengthen NRHM, regulate private sector, control essential drug prices, monitor patented drugs, restrict clinical trials.
6. Media and Culture:
   • Noted media corporatized, 26% FDI in news, 100% in non-news, Murdoch controls significant electronic media, promotes neo-liberal consent, sensationalism, consumerism, paid news, private treaties.
   • Called for democratizing media, reversing FDI policy, prohibiting cross-ownership, revamping Prasar Bharati, establishing independent media council.
   • Promoted secular, democratic, composite culture, supported folk arts threatened by agrarian crisis, rallied progressive forces against consumerism, individualism, Hindutva/caste attacks.
7. Political Situation:
   • Analyzed Congress (UPA) won 2009 Lok Sabha with SP, BSP, RJD, JD(S) support, faces corruption exposure, price rise, youth unemployment, Muslim support persists, weakened by DMK/TMC issues.
   • Noted BJP post-2009 defeat, RSS intervention, bases intact in Gujarat, Rajasthan, etc., benefits from anti-Congress sentiment, Yeddyurappa scandal hurt image.
   • Viewed regional parties as opportunistic, following neo-liberal policies, CPI(M) cooperates with non-Congress secular parties on issues, fights Congress/BJP, builds Left-democratic alternative, prevents two-party consolidation.
8. CPI(M) and Left:
   • Post-2009, CPI(M) lost seats, Left Front defeated in West Bengal (2011, first since 1977), narrowly in Kerala, weakened nationally.
   • Detailed West Bengal attacks: 550 CPI(M)/Left killed since 19th Congress (59 post-May 2011), offices captured, arrests, TMC/police violence, called for defending unit, mobilizing opinion.
   • Highlighted Tripura Left Front government exemplary (corruption-free, poverty reduction, tribal welfare), under attack by Congress/rightwing, needs Central resources.
   • Stressed intensifying joint movements, strengthening independent role, expanding influence in other states, prioritizing basic classes, youth, urban poor, environmental issues.
9. Movements:
   • Noted Left parties conducted joint campaigns, e.g., 20 lakh in April 8, 2010 picketing, 13-party hartal April 27 successful, July 5 hartal with NDA against fuel hikes.
   • Highlighted central trade unions united: 7.5 lakh in November 8, 2011 jail bharo, 10 crore in February 28, 2012 strike, landmark unity, called for intensifying broad-based struggles on land, food, employment, livelihoods.
10. Left and Democratic Programme:
    • Included land reforms, self-reliant development, regulate finance, nationalize mining/oil, reduce inequalities, democratic federalism, curb corruption, secularism, workers’ rights, universal PDS, public education/health, social justice, environmental protection, independent foreign policy.
    • Mobilized working people for Left-democratic front, advanced towards people’s democracy, socialism.
11. Tasks Ahead:
    • Fought neo-liberal policies affecting workers, peasants, etc., countered communalism (RSS/BJP), opposed Indo-US strategic alliance, championed dalit/tribal/minority/women rights, defended Left in West Bengal, strengthened Left unity, countered Maoists.
    • Rallied democratic/secular forces, mobilized against anti-people policies, built powerful Communist Party, ended class exploitation, social oppression.

Leadership Changes

The Congress resulted in significant organizational changes, ensuring continuity and democratic functioning:

• Central Committee: Elected a new 89-member Central Committee, with two vacancies, as per the user’s information, reflecting broad representation across states, particularly strongholds in Kerala and Tripura.
• Polit Bureau: The Central Committee elected a 15-member Polit Bureau, handling executive functions, as confirmed by the user’s message and consistent with historical practice.
• General Secretary: Comrade Prakash Karat was unanimously re-elected as General Secretary, ensuring leadership continuity during this critical period.
• Constitutional Amendment: The Party Constitution was amended to limit the terms of the General Secretary and other secretaries up to the local committee level to three full terms, with a possible fourth term under special conditions (three-fourth majority Central Committee decision), promoting democratic functioning and preventing power concentration, as detailed in the Party Constitution (Party Constitution of CPI(M)).

Historical Significance and Unexpected Details

The 20th Congress was notable for its comprehensive resolution, covering international, regional, and domestic issues, with a strong emphasis on building a Left and Democratic alternative, which was unexpected given the party’s recent electoral losses. The constitutional amendment limiting terms was a significant step towards internal democracy, reflecting a response to criticisms of leadership longevity. The detailed focus on defending the West Bengal unit amidst violence, and the call for countering Maoist violence ideologically, highlighted the party’s strategic priorities in a challenging political landscape.

Below is a table summarizing key details of the 20th Party Congress:

Another table detailing the political context: