It is true the CPI-M and other Left parties have been suffering due to their own lapses and incorrect implementation of the political line than any smart machination of BJP or Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The legacy of the earlier Left stalwarts is lost long back.
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| 2018 - CPI-M rally in Tripura : When it lost power |
The Communism and especially the CPI-M are still nursing the 'injuries' caused in mid-nineties and in later years under Prakash Karat.
Of course, the BJP has been fighting the Leftists; they alone could not push the communists to a corner. This was done by Left parties themselves. They might have started it in 1996 when Jyoti Basu was denied the opportunity of becoming Prime Minister. Here too, Karat was the chief villain.
The downward slippery journey of Indian communists, electorally and in exerting influence on the sociopolitical mindset, has been phenomenal in the last few decades. It could not offer a very convincing argument why Basu was denied prime ministership; but by 2008-09; it was willing to back a corrupt and casteist protagonist like Mayawati for the top post.
In terms of studying the background; we may point out that in Kerala; the communists first tasted success and power in 1957.
At their peak, the Leftists ruled states stretching from West Bengal to Kerala and Tripura. "They impacted the lives of more than 100 million people through trade unions, peasant organisations, student wings and disciplined cadre networks," runs an article in BBC website.
In Tripura, the Left ruled for 35 years in all, including 25-year stretch before its defeat by BJP in 2018.
In West Bengal, the Left Front governed continuously from 1977 to 2011 - one of the longest-running elected communist administrations in the world.
Yet, in 2026 - it is in search of 'old influence'. It lost power in Kerala in 2026.
The challenges have stories of paradoxes too. In the regions where they lost their grip, the pro-Hindu BJP gained ground. West Bengal was a living testimony this year when Mamata Banerjee was shown the door. In 2011; it was Mamata-led TMC that had defeated CPI-M-led dispensation after 34 years.
"The religious minorities and especially Muslims who could have been happy about atheism (Left) losing ground are now more worried about an even worse form of political ideology - that is the Hindutva gaining power," says Tushar Bhadra, a Varanasi-based political commentator.
2024 : A billboard depicting Hindu deities Ram and Hanuman displayed in Mumbai
A Left-leaning analyst in West Bengal, Ramakanto Shanyal - has a more candid observation to make.
"The BJP has been winning polls. These are extremely ominous for the country's future as a truly pluralist polity. But the BJP has harvested the fruits of hate. We may not appreciate it as intellectuals; but it is true the communalism has worked brilliantly," he says.
Others would, however, disagree. The pro-BJP argument is the synthesis of Hindu-backed nationalism and development along with 'no appeasement' for Muslims has actually brought in so much dividends for the Lotus party.
It's also a fact since the Temple movement of the 1990s, L K Advani and others contributed to the rise of Hindu nationalism.
The period coincided with market liberalisation. This exposed trade unionism. But it also produced a Hindutva-backed religious, political and economic onslaught.
As if the communists were being 'squeezed' from all sides.
Modi played Development card. A 'new aspirational' Indian generation was created. In the words of a Siliguri-based CPI-M worker Irfan Mohammed - "The middle class was shown a green pasture where opposing Muslims and communists became a virtue".
Millions are worried today whether "liberal democratic" values enshrined in the constitution would survive or nor. But Left has been doing its mistakes nevertheless.
It's student and younger forces participating at CJP-sponsored protest at Jantar Mantar may in the long run hurt the Left parties.
Modi has laid the foundation for Hindutva dominance - and this automatically cornered the communists.
The situation is such that still an element of distrust and fear grips the psyche of the rank-and-file of CPI-M and other Left parties.
Though the CPI-M presents the façade of fighting orthodox views, it is a fact the Leftists are not evolving any concrete action plan.
Left has left us in the lurch, once DMK leader Murasoli Maran said in Lok Sabha.
But for their part, the communists have 'left the ground open' to the BJP.
Some Leftists nurse the view that the Marxists are practicing soft Hindutva. They are posing the façade of challenging even Lord Ayyappa for a few atheists.
Both the CPI-M and Congress in Kerala wanted a dialogue with the people concerned before implementing the Supreme Court verdict on entry of women of all ages into the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala. This implied that the CPI-M leadership had miserably failed to come to grips with this problem.
It has been fumbling.
In West Bengal; the communists turned Secularism into Muslim appeasement. Mamata coming after them glorified Muslims and insulted Hindus. Today the Hindutva-party is in power.
Take another leap.
The challenge of "defeating fascism" or forces led by RSS cannot and must not however be reduced to an electoral challenge.
At the same time, Left parties did another mistake. Within the arena of electoral battle, the communists at times reduced it to the task of joining or supporting any so-called grand alliance. The focus was to keep the BJP out.
Such experiments forced CPI-M or CPI to do business with discredited and corrupt leaders like Lalu Prasad.
The experience of Bihar shows the inherent fragility and hollowness of one such grand alliance.
Yet experts argue that the Left cannot explain away its decline simply through the rise of Hindu nationalism, caste politics and aspirational politics.
Kerala stood apart, earning international attention for decentralised planning, high social indicators, literacy, poverty reduction and a strong public health system.
But there were some flaws too. The Left and others made Kerala continue to rely "heavily on remittances" from abroad, which have wavered, creating mounting fiscal pressures.
This brought in inadequate local employment frustrating the youth.
In other words, communists themselves including in Kerala and Bengal drifted towards an economic model they once opposed.
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| Marx- Yesterday and Today - Relevance ?? |
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