The 24th state conference of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] commenced in Kerala’s Kollam on Thursday, March 6, with veteran leader Prakash Karat inaugurating the event. The conference, scheduled to be held at the Kollam Town Hall from March 6 to March 9, was attended by top CPI(M) leaders, including Politburo members Ashok Dhawale, Subhashini Ali, Brinda Karat, and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
In his inaugural speech, Prakash Karat, addressing the criticism over the use of the term ‘neo-fascism’ by the party in its draft political resolution – which stated that the Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi could not be classified as fascist – said that the Modi government “displays neo-fascistic characteristics”, and is not currently fascist.
“For the first time, we have used the term neo-fascism to describe the current political situation. This is not the same as classical fascism, though it shares some of its elements. In every country, fascist forces identify a particular group as the enemy—it could be religious minorities, immigrants, or other marginalised communities. In India, the RSS’s Hindutva ideology has unique features, which is why we have termed it neo-fascism,” Karat said.
He also responded to criticism from the Congress regarding the use of the term. “At our 2017 Hyderabad party conference, we identified the emerging fascist trends in India. For the past 11 years, we have been resisting the neo-fascist tendencies of the Modi government. If we fail to counter these trends, they could develop into full-fledged fascism. We don’t need Congress’s certification,” Karat asserted.
Addressing the media earlier, CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan emphasised the significance of the conference in shaping the party’s roadmap for the upcoming years. “The conference will engage in debates and decisions aimed at ensuring the continuation of the party-led government for a third consecutive term,” he said.
A key highlight of the conference will be Pinarayi Vijayan’s presentation of the draft document ‘New Kerala, New Ways’, which outlines the party’s vision for Kerala’s development. “This document will reflect the party’s approach towards Kerala’s progress, building upon the Nava Kerala Mission policy draft presented at the last state conference in 2022,” Govindan said.
The conference will also discuss political and organisational strategies, focusing on strengthening the party’s position and countering right-wing forces.
Karat highlights Kerala’s role in national politics
In his inaugural address, Prakash Karat also underscored Kerala’s crucial position in the national political landscape. “In the current political scenario, Kerala stands at the forefront of the struggle against the Hindutva-corporate regime and in defence of democracy, secularism, and federalism,” he said.
Karat highlighted the fact that Kerala remains the only state in India with a Left-led government and credited the CPI(M)-led administration for implementing alternatives to the neoliberal policies of the Union government. He also emphasised the importance of discussions on Kerala’s future direction, stating that the party would deliberate on a vision for a “progressive, modern, secular, and industrialised Kerala.”
Karat also paid homage to former CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, describing his demise as a significant loss to the party. He also remembered the late Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, acknowledging his contributions to the party’s growth in Kerala.
On the international front, Karat criticised US President Donald Trump’s policies, accusing him of attempting to maintain America’s imperialist dominance.