The Communist Party of India (Marxist), long criticized for its ageing leadership and shrinking national footprint, has taken tentative steps toward internal rejuvenation. At the 24th party congress held in Madurai, the CPI(M) elected MA Baby as its new general secretary, marking a generational and symbolic shift in leadership. However, the election also revealed deepening fault lines between the Kerala and West Bengal factions of the party.
The choice of 70-year-old MA Baby, a veteran from Kerala and a Politburo member since 2012, is significant. He becomes the second leader from Kerala to hold the party’s top post after the legendary EMS Namboodiripad (1978–1992). Baby’s elevation followed the death of former general secretary Sitaram Yechury in September 2024, which led Prakash Karat to assume interim charge.
In a rare internal contest, Baby was elected over Ashok Dhawale, president of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS). While Baby had the backing of Prakash Karat and the influential Kerala unit, Dhawale was supported by leaders from West Bengal and Maharashtra, including Nilotpal Basu, Tapan Sen, Md Salim, and Ram Chandra Dome.
Though contests for the general secretary’s post have occurred before, what made this election stand out was a vote for the party’s Central Committee, which is usually constituted by consensus. DL Karad, vice president of the CITU and head of the Maharashtra unit, stood for election but garnered only 31 votes—a rare act of defiance in a party known for tightly managed unanimity.
Baby downplayed the internal divisions, calling it part of a “democratic process.” However, observers note that his victory underscores the Kerala lobby’s growing dominance, which could further limit CPI(M)’s influence outside its last stronghold.
Fault Lines and Fractures
The CPI(M) has long grappled with regional rivalries, particularly between Kerala and West Bengal—its two traditional bastions. These tensions were visible in:
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1996, when Kerala leaders opposed Jyoti Basu becoming prime minister, leading him to famously call the party’s decision a “historic blunder.”
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2007, when Kerala and Bengal units clashed over withdrawing support from the Congress-led UPA government.
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2015, when Sitaram Yechury was elected general secretary despite Kerala pushing for S.R. Pillai.
This time, the Kerala unit succeeded, aided by the fact that the Left continues to lead the state government, unlike in West Bengal where the CPI(M) is struggling to stay politically relevant after its 2011 electoral defeat.
The Maharashtra unit’s support for Dhawale reflected concerns that concentrating power in Kerala may further marginalize the party elsewhere. Some leaders felt that a general secretary from the East—like Dhawale or Md Salim—might help revive the CPI(M)’s electoral fortunes in West Bengal and Tripura ahead of the 2026 elections.
A CPI(M) watcher remarked, “There are others like Surjya Kanta Mishra with comparable seniority, but Baby’s elevation shows the Kerala unit’s grip.”
The Karats Still Hold Influence
Although Prakash and Brinda Karat have exited the Politburo due to the party’s age cap of 75, their influence remains potent. Prakash Karat personally proposed Baby’s name for general secretary, reinforcing speculation that Baby’s rise ensures the continuity of the Karat faction’s influence at the top.
Interestingly, 79-year-old Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, despite exceeding the age limit, has been granted an exemption to remain in the Politburo—another indication of Kerala’s exceptional status within the party.
Can Baby Unify the Party?
While Baby has vowed to maintain unity, his leadership faces several critical tests. The party's internal fissures, now more visible than ever, raise doubts about its ability to rebuild a national presence. With Kerala as its last electoral bastion, the CPI(M) must balance regional dominance with the need for broader inclusion and relevance.
As the party braces for the 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal and Tripura, Baby’s leadership will be under close watch. While the CPI(M) appears to be taking “Baby steps” toward generational change, the bigger challenge lies in unifying its fractured ranks and regaining ideological and electoral ground in a rapidly changing political landscape.
