CPI(M) state conference: Is Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala not adhering to party principles?

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) adheres to Marxism-Leninism, which includes dialectical materialism as its philosophical foundation. Dialectical materialism, in essence, views reality as a dynamic process driven by contradictions—opposing forces that lead to change and development.

So, the question is whether CPI(M) uses this framework to justify or defend its own internal contradictions, policy flip-flops, or pragmatic compromises that clash with its stated principles.

Many top CPI(M) leaders generally do not use this theoretical framework in public rhetoric to defend the party’s position. Rather, they use it in internal literature while explaining things to cadres. And, quite often, when this internal literature leaks, that leads to controversies.

However, the party’s Kerala state secretary, M.V. Govindan, stands out as an exception. At times, he embraces philosophical frameworks, including dialectics, to explain the distinction between the party’s position and that of the party-led government. Yet, at other times, he outright rejects any contradiction between the party’s ideology and the party-led government’s stance.

Govindan often reiterates that Kerala’s leftist government is the only viable alternative in India. However, since becoming state secretary, he has voiced multiple times that the CPI(M) and the CPI(M)-led government operate on separate tracks, yet he does not see a contradiction. In a recent interview with Manorama News, Govindan reinforced this stance while discussing private capital investments.

“Can we use private capital? CPI(M)’s vision for social growth and development is distinct. But the Kerala government is not in a position to fully implement that vision,” he stated.

Govindan then outlined the theoretical framework guiding the party’s approach. However, in the next breath, he acknowledged that the CPI(M)-led government must function within the constraints of the Indian political system. Quoting the late party ideologue and former chief minister E.M.S. Namboodiripad, he explained, “What are our limitations? A government elected by securing a majority in a bourgeois economic system cannot implement the full policies and positions of the Communist party.”Notably, in the same interview, Govindan reaffirmed his belief that the CPI(M)-led government would return to power in Kerala, reiterating that it remains the only alternative.

Meanwhile, at the ongoing state conference, the CPI(M) has signalled a shift by adopting a policy that leans toward disinvestment in Kerala’s Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)—a stance the party vehemently opposes at the national level. The CPI(M) has endorsed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s proposal to restructure irreparable PSUs through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. “We should consider signing agreements with entities willing to manage these institutions under clear conditions,” Vijayan’s policy document stated.

At a press conference on March 7, Govindan confirmed CPI(M)’s adoption of this policy. However, in a striking contradiction, Govindan also spoke about party simultaneously passing a resolution against the central government’s disinvestment moves. Titled “Protect the public sector,” the resolution accuses the Modi government of committing “treason” by privatizing PSUs, essential services, education, and healthcare, while allowing mega corporations to exploit rare minerals and other resources.

 Clearly, while the party gears up for protests against the Centre on the issue, it is also backing the LDF government’s pursuit of private investment.

Despite this apparent contradiction, Govindan dismissed any inconsistency in the CPI(M)’s stance on PSUs. “The ‘Nava Kerala’ policy document focuses on improving PSUs’ efficiency, not shutting them down. The government is not selling them off. However, we are open to discussing support from private entities to sustain these institutions,” he clarified.