100 years political journey of CPI
Digital Desk, New Delhi. The Communist Party of India (CPI) is celebrating its centenary on 26 December. CPI was established in a conference held in Kanpur in 1925. The presence of CPI, which once played an effective role in the country from streets to Parliament, is currently visible only at the ideological level.
Its role in electoral politics has been limited only to Kerala, where it has a coalition government with the Left parties. Let us take a look at the 100 year journey of the party.
Because of this the foundation was laid in Kanpur
The decision to hold a national conference in Kanpur in 1925 was taken by Indian communist groups active in Lahore, Bombay (now Mumbai), Calcutta (now Kolkata) and Madras. There were a good number of industrial workers in Kanpur. At the same time, the annual session of the Indian National Congress was also being held in Kanpur.
Moreover, it was in Kanpur itself that the British government registered the Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy case against Indian communists in 1923. Three communist leaders S V Ghate, S A Dange and Muzaffar Ahmed were sentenced to four years in prison.
once had dominance in global politics
There are very few political parties in India that can claim a legacy as significant as the early years of the CPI. The party entered global political history in 1957, when EMS Namboothiripad led the world's first democratically elected communist government in Kerala. This moment placed CPI at the forefront of parliamentary leftist politics, with a unique combination of ideology and electoral legitimacy.
Ideological divide and rise of CPI(M)
The situation changed completely after the ideological split of 1964, which resulted in the formation of CPI(M). In Kerala, the CPI(M) steadily emerged as a major leftist force, while the CPI struggled to maintain its organizational depth and political influence.
Despite this, the CPI continued to play an important role in the power politics of Kerala through changing alliances. Under the leadership of C Achyuta Menon, the party formed governments with the Congress in 1969 and again in 1970.
A turning point came in 1980, when the CPI broke ties with the Congress and formed a strong alliance with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and emerged as its second largest constituent party. This situation continues till today.
The party is currently part of the ruling LDF in Kerala, holding four cabinet posts and the post of vice president, and remains in power in Tamil Nadu as a component of the DMK-led alliance.
The effect is continuously decreasing
At the national level, the influence of CPI is continuously declining. At present it has two MPs each in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, about 20 MLAs in three states and a nominal presence in the Legislative Councils. Recognized as a state party only in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Manipur, the CPI has weakened significantly.
(With inputs from news agency IANS)