The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) faces a pivotal moment on Friday as it prepares to elect a new general secretary following the passing of Sitaram Yechury.
This marks the first time since the party’s formation in 1964 that a sitting general secretary has died in office. The role is particularly significant because it will set the stage for the 24th Party Congress in April next year, where the party will elect a new set of office-bearers. Therefore, the politburo must quickly appoint a successor to Yechury.
Historically, while Yechury’s predecessor Prakash Karat, a Keralite, held the position, EMS Nampoothiripad of Kerala notably served as general secretary from 1978 to 1992, holding the role for an extended period. Currently, the CPI-M’s politburo includes prominent Kerala figures such as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, M.A. Baby, A. Vijayaraghavan, and M.V. Govindan.
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Kerala, as the last bastion of the CPI-M with an active state government, presents both advantages and challenges for the selection of Yechury’s successor. On one hand, Kerala’s significant representation in the Central Committee could bolster its position. On the other hand, controversies and alleged scams involving the state government have led to dissatisfaction among the party’s national leadership with Chief Minister Vijayan’s management of the state unit.
A source familiar with the party’s internal workings emphasized the critical nature of the general secretary’s role, particularly with the Party Congress approaching. “The general secretary is responsible for ensuring the Party Congress proceeds in an orderly manner. With the CPI-M having lost ground in West Bengal and Tripura, and Kerala’s elections coming up in 2026, the politburo’s decision today is crucial,” the source, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
This situation represents an unprecedented challenge for the CPI-M as it navigates this significant leadership transition.
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