Red alert

The CPI(M)’s latest party congress was a Kerala show; outside the state, though, the party’s future seems bleak

- CITHARA PAUL

THERE WERE SEVERAL new elements at the Communist Party of India (Marxist)’s 23rd party congress in Kannur, Kerala —from the unisex uniforms of the volunteers (red shirt and khaki trousers) and increased participation of women to the unusual pomp and show on display. The most obvious change, though, was the show of unity from the leaders. “There were discussions, but no differences. That is the speciality of this party congress,” said party general secretary Sitaram Yechury.

The comrades all spoke in one voice. That voice, though, was of the Kerala unit. “The congress saw a complete domination of the Kerala unit over the rest of the party,” said activist and writer M.N. Pearson. “Whether it be the issue of an alliance with the Congress or its approach towards development, everyone listened to the comrades in Kerala because they had come to power for a second time when party units in the rest of the country were languishing. Only the winners get to be heard.”

The story had been different at the previous two congresses. At the end of both, the party was a divided house with bitterness between the factions led by Yechury and former general secretary Prakash Karat. The bone of contention was an alliance with the Congress. While Yechury and the West Bengal faction batted for it, Karat and the Kerala team said no.