2022- 23rd All India CPI(M) Party Congress

The 23rd All India Party Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), held from April 6 to 10, 2022, in Kannur, Kerala, was a significant political event that reflected the party’s response to both national and regional dynamics. This Congress was particularly notable given the CPI(M)’s recent electoral setbacks in West Bengal and Tripura, and its efforts to consolidate power in Kerala while positioning itself as a national opposition force against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Background and Context

By 2022, the CPI(M) had experienced significant political shifts. The party, historically strong in West Bengal and Tripura, had lost power in these states, with the BJP and other regional parties gaining ground. In contrast, the Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by CPI(M), had secured a second consecutive term in Kerala in the 2021 Assembly elections, making Kerala a critical stronghold. The Congress was thus an opportunity to reflect on these changes and chart a new course, especially in the context of the BJP’s dominance at the Centre under Narendra Modi.

Key Resolutions and Discussions

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

1. Praising the LDF Government in Kerala:
   The Congress adopted a resolution hailing the LDF government’s achievements in Kerala, particularly its ability to secure a second consecutive term in power. The resolution, as reported by India Today Insight, praised the state committee for providing political guidance and the people for their support. It highlighted the LDF’s success in overcoming challenges such as a depleted state exchequer, negative agricultural growth, industrial stagnation, unemployment, the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and perceived central government antipathy. This resolution positioned the ‘Kerala model’ of governance—characterized by welfare measures, social equity, and resilience—as a national alternative to the BJP’s policies, emphasizing state-led development and social welfare.
2. Addressing Unemployment:
   Another significant resolution, as detailed by Business Standard, focused on the “massive crisis of unemployment” in India. The Congress demanded that 200 person-days of employment be provided for each worker under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), up from the standard 100 days, and called for the introduction of an Urban Employment Guarantee in all urban areas. It also urged the government to substantially increase expenditure on education and infrastructure to generate employment, criticizing official unemployment data as a “gross underestimation” and highlighting the lack of social security provisions. The resolution called for reversing neo-liberal policies and advancing a path of democratic development to ensure decent jobs and living wages for all.
3. National Strategies and Organizational Challenges:
   The Congress also addressed organizational challenges and national strategies, as noted by The Hindu. There was a strong emphasis on spreading the party’s influence beyond its traditional strongholds, particularly into the Hindi heartland, where it has historically struggled. The party recognized the need to play a key role in the opposition mission to dislodge the BJP from power at the Centre, especially given its shrinking national space. Discussions included long-term strategies to strengthen its presence in states where it has limited influence, reflecting a desire to rebuild its national relevance.

Leadership Changes

The Congress resulted in significant organizational changes, ensuring leadership continuity and fresh perspectives:

• Central Committee: The Congress elected an 85-member Central Committee, with one seat left vacant, as reported by CPI(M) Official Website. This body is the highest decision-making authority between Congresses, reflecting the party’s broad representation across states, particularly its strongholds in Kerala.
• Polit Bureau: The Central Committee elected a 17-member Polit Bureau, which handles executive functions between meetings. Sitaram Yechury was re-elected as General Secretary, a position he had held since 2015, ensuring continuity. Other key figures in the Polit Bureau included Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala and a prominent party leader, Brinda Karat, a veteran leader and member of the Central Committee, and Manik Sarkar, a former Chief Minister of Tripura. The full list of Polit Bureau members is as follows:

This composition reflected a balance of experienced leaders and new entrants, with three new members joining the Polit Bureau, as noted in Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) – Wikipedia.

International and Fraternal Engagements

The Congress also received greetings from fraternal parties, including the Communist Party of China, Communist Party of Vietnam, Communist Party of Cuba, Workers’ Party of Korea, and Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, as mentioned in Peoples Democracy. This highlighted the CPI(M)’s continued international communist affiliations, though it did not directly influence the resolutions.

Historical Significance and Unexpected Details

The 23rd Congress was notable for its focus on the ‘Kerala model’ as a national alternative, which was unexpected given the party’s recent losses in other states. This shift underscored the party’s strategy to leverage its success in Kerala to regain national relevance. Another unexpected detail was the emphasis on urban employment guarantees, a relatively new demand that reflected the party’s adaptation to urbanizing India and the growing urban unemployment crisis.

Below is a table summarizing key details of the 23rd Party Congress:

Another table detailing the political context: