National strategies, organisational challenges to dominate CPI(M) party congress 

Shrinking space at the national level is a major worry for the party

The CPI(M), which is gearing up for the five-day 23rd Party Congress in Kannur this week, has its task cut out: to stem the marginalisation of the Left happening at the national level and to go creative in bringing down the BJP from power at the Centre.

The shrinking space at the national level is the party’s — and generally the Left’s — single major challenge. At successive Party Congresses, the CPI(M) has resolved to spread its wings further into the Hindi heartland. That has not happened. And in West Bengal and Tripura, once Left strongholds, the party is struggling to make a comeback.

Kerala, on the other side, has been a shining example of the party going in for political pragmatism, not just to stay afloat but also to secure an emphatic second successive win in the Assembly election.

But that is not enough if it is to play a key role in the Opposition mission to dislodge the BJP from the seat of power in Delhi. And in the 23rd Party Congress, long-term strategies to realise that goal is expected to be worked out.

The Central Committee meetings of the party, held in recent times to discuss the Draft Political Resolution and Organisational Report to be moved at the Party Congress, have already looked at some of these issues closely.

Most important among these is the stand to be taken towards the Congress. The Bengal line of joining hands with the Congress has been rejected in favour of a State-wise tactical understanding, involving other parties, as has been done in Tamil Nadu for long. Since the other Opposition parties too are grappling with the question, the CPI(M) Party Congress may have to only keep the party’s options open for the crunch times.

But without Bengal and Tripura in its kitty, the party can hardly hope to play the kind of decisive role it played in the Left-UPA combination. That suits the Kerala unit of the CPI(M), which is pitted against the Congress, its main opposition in the State.