The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPM] has ignited a major controversy within the opposition camp by asserting that it does not classify the Narendra Modi-led BJP government as "fascist" or "neo-fascist." This explanation, presented in a draft political resolution ahead of the party’s 24th Party Congress in April, has sent shockwaves through both the Congress and the Communist Party of India (CPI), its long-time ally in the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala. While the CPM has historically positioned itself as a staunch opponent of the BJP-RSS ideology, this latest statement signals a significant recalibration in its official stance, drawing sharp reactions from opposition parties and left-wing intellectuals alike.
The new position marks a shift from previous narratives, where senior CPM leaders, including former general secretary Sitaram Yechury, had frequently drawn parallels between the Modi government and historical fascist regimes. The party had consistently accused the BJP and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), of undermining democracy, suppressing dissent, and fostering communal polarization in ways reminiscent of classical fascism. However, the draft resolution now argues that while the Modi government exhibits "neo-fascist characteristics," it does not meet the complete criteria of a fascist or neo-fascist regime.
According to the CPM, fascism in its classical sense, as seen in Hitler’s Germany and Mussolini’s Italy, emerged during the inter-imperialist era, whereas the BJP’s rule is a byproduct of the neoliberal crisis and manifests authoritarian tendencies within a democratic framework. The resolution implies that while the Modi government is centralizing power and weakening democratic institutions, it still operates within electoral democracy rather than entirely dismantling it.
CPM Central Committee member AK Balan defended the party’s position, asserting that the CPM had never officially labeled the Modi government as "fascist" in the past. He clarified that while the BJP-RSS combination is consolidating power, the fundamental political structure of India has not yet been fully transformed in a manner characteristic of classical fascism. Balan also took a dig at the CPI and CPI(ML), pointing out that unlike them, the CPM does not believe fascism has already arrived in India. He went a step further by challenging critics to provide concrete proof that the country has transitioned into full-fledged fascism.
This explanation has triggered an uproar among opposition parties, particularly the CPI, which has traditionally been more vocal in labeling the BJP regime as fascist. CPI Kerala state secretary Binoy Viswam was quick to reject the CPM’s nuanced take, reiterating that the RSS is inherently a fascist organization and that the Modi-led BJP government is a full-fledged fascist regime. He demanded that the CPM revise its stance, arguing that downplaying the threat posed by the BJP-RSS is a dangerous miscalculation. The CPI’s reaction reflects the internal strains within the Left Front, where the junior partner fears being sidelined due to the CPM’s more strategic positioning.
The Congress, seizing the opportunity to attack the CPM in Kerala—where the two parties are fierce rivals—launched a scathing critique. The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) mocked the CPM as the "Communist Janata Party (CJP)," suggesting that it was inching closer to the BJP behind the scenes. On social media, the KPCC accused the CPM of "whitewashing" the BJP’s authoritarianism and shifting ideologically to the right for political survival. The Congress’s narrative is clear: the CPM’s stance is not just an ideological re-evaluation but a deliberate move to maintain political relevance by toning down its rhetoric against the BJP.
Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, further escalated the attack, alleging that the CPM’s new position indicated a covert alliance with the BJP. He claimed that the party had always been "at peace with fascism" and that the latest resolution was part of a broader strategy to align with the Sangh Parivar. Satheesan’s comments reflect the Congress’s broader strategy of isolating the CPM in Kerala, where both parties are locked in an intense political battle for dominance.
Beyond the political arena, the CPM’s stance has also drawn sharp criticism from activists, intellectuals, and historians. Author and activist Tushar Gandhi ridiculed the party’s position, questioning whether it was "rolling out a red carpet for the RSS in Kerala" and sarcastically asking if the CPM’s iconic red flag was turning saffron. Many on the Left see this as a betrayal of anti-fascist principles and an unnecessary dilution of ideological clarity at a time when they believe democracy is under serious threat.
The controversy also has significant implications for the opposition alliance against the BJP. While the Congress, CPM, and CPI are technically part of the larger opposition front at the national level, such fundamental differences in assessing the nature of the Modi regime raise concerns about their ability to coordinate a united front in the 2024 elections. The CPI’s strong opposition to the CPM’s stance suggests that ideological fractures within the Left could weaken their collective ability to counter the BJP’s electoral machine.
From an electoral standpoint, the CPM’s strategic positioning appears to be influenced by political pragmatism. Unlike the Congress and CPI, which are engaged in direct electoral battles with the BJP across multiple states, the CPM’s primary stronghold remains Kerala, where the BJP’s influence is still relatively limited. By avoiding an outright "fascist" label, the CPM may be seeking to keep its political options open while maintaining its critique of the Modi government’s policies. However, this balancing act is proving to be a double-edged sword, as it has left the party vulnerable to accusations of ideological compromise.
At its core, the controversy reflects the ongoing debate within the opposition over how best to counter the BJP’s dominance. While some factions advocate for a more aggressive, ideological confrontation by branding the Modi government as fascist, others, like the CPM, appear to be opting for a more nuanced approach that focuses on specific policies rather than broad ideological labels. This divide raises critical questions about the opposition’s overall strategy heading into the 2024 general elections.
As the CPM prepares for its 24th Party Congress in April, it will face intense scrutiny over its ideological positioning. The party’s leadership will have to navigate internal dissent, pacify its allies, and counter the growing perception that it is softening its stance on the BJP. The fallout from this controversy could have lasting implications, not just for the Left’s political prospects but for the broader opposition’s ability to present a unified challenge to the BJP in the years ahead.
