CPI(M) Madurai Congress: Why it is crucial for the party and Left politics

The CPI(M) is gearing up for its 24th Party Congress in Madurai. Party delegates from across the country will deliberate on various topics—from international relations to internal bickerings—between April 2 and April 6. This Party Congress will be crucial in shaping CPI(M)’s future direction, strategies, and relevance in Indian politics.

A new face for the party

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury passed away in September 2024. The top leadership now faces the critical task of selecting his successor. Yechury had strong ties with leaders from other parties, especially the Congress, and his ability to balance pragmatism with ideological constraints played a key role in shaping CPI(M)’s national position for over a decade. As the party elects a new general secretary in Madurai, the key questions will be: who will replace Yechury? And will the new leader continue his approach or signal a shift in strategy?

Generational shift in the politburo

CPI(M)’s internal policy mandates the retirement of leaders above 75 from key organisational positions. If enforced strictly, this rule would result in the exit of senior leaders like Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar, former general secretary Prakash Karat, and senior leader Brinda Karat from the politburo (PB). It is expected that up to seven new members will be inducted into the PB.

However, CM Vijayan is likely to receive an exemption from the age restriction, as he did in the last Party Congress, given his status as the party’s most influential leader in Kerala—its last remaining stronghold. Age restriction mandate would bring significant new blood in the party’s Central Committee too.

With an entire generation of leadership making way for new faces, this Party Congress will mark a significant generational shift within CPI(M).

Policy direction

In Kerala, Vijayan’s market-friendly policies—including public-private partnerships to restructure PSUs, private capital inflows including in domains like higher education, and economic modernisation largely following neo-liberal policies—represent a major pragmatic shift. Despite concerns that such policies make CPI(M) appear similar to parties such as the Congress or BJP in economic matters, the party in Kerala is embracing this transition. The state conference in Kollam saw overwhelming support for the Pinarayist policies.

Nationally, however, CPI(M) seeks to position itself as an ideological counterweight to Hindutva’s socio-economic agenda, presenting itself as India’s leading Leftist force. The Madurai Congress will test the party’s ability to reconcile these contradictions between its economic pragmatism in Kerala and its ideological stance at the national level.

Another key factor will be the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections. The Congress remains CPI(M)’s main rival in Kerala, and the strategies required to retain power in the state could influence the wordplay in the policy resolution adopted at Madurai. A significant portion of its discussions will be dedicated to criticising and countering Hindutva forces, but crucial decisions regarding the relationship with Congress at the national level may also be part of Madurai's outcomes. This would have an impact on the party’s relationship with the Congress and the broader INDIA bloc in other states and at the national level.