Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary M.A. Baby on Monday, 9 November 2026, launched a blistering attack on the Narendra Modi government in Thiruvananthapuram, describing it as a regime that behaves like a 'street goon' and calling for intensified protests against its policies. The remarks came at a function marking the 12th death anniversary of veteran Kerala communist leader M.V. Raghavan.

The Attack on the Centre

Baby accused the Centre of openly defying the Supreme Court's directions on the appointment of the Election Commission of India, alleging the government had simply 'torn up' those directives. He argued that protests against such conduct must be sustained and intensified, regardless of whether the CPI(M) held power at the state level or sat in opposition. The remarks reflect a broader Left Front position that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre has systematically undermined constitutional institutions.

Electoral Accountability and Organisational Lessons

Baby also used the occasion to address internal party discipline, cautioning that parties must resist the temptation to blame voters when they lose elections. 'Ask what we did wrong,' he said, underscoring a theme of organisational introspection. He cited Raghavan as an outstanding example of political organisational ability, crediting him with an exceptional grasp of how to build and mobilise a party structure.

Who Was M.V. Raghavan

M.V. Raghavan was a towering figure in Kerala's communist movement before a dramatic falling-out with the CPI(M). A seven-time legislator — elected four times on the CPI(M) ticket — he was expelled from the party in 1986 after proposing an alternative tactical line that the leadership rejected. At the time of his expulsion, he ranked among the party's most senior leaders, with even current Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ranked below him in the party hierarchy.

Following his expulsion, Raghavan founded the Communist Marxist Party (CMP), which subsequently aligned itself with the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). He served twice as a minister in UDF governments and remained a persistent and vocal critic of CPI(M)'s top leadership, frequently targeting former Chief Ministers E.K. Nayanar and V.S. Achuthanandan, as well as Vijayan, until his death.

Baby's Acceptance of Raghavan Award Draws Scrutiny

Baby on Monday also addressed social media criticism over his acceptance of an award instituted in Raghavan's name, given that he himself had been a critic of the expelled leader during his lifetime. He defended the decision, noting that the CPI(M) had taken disciplinary action against Raghavan strictly through its own organisational procedures — implying no personal animus was involved. He also recalled Raghavan's constructive role in persuading self-financing medical college managements to cooperate with the state government during V.S. Achuthanandan's tenure as Chief Minister.

The CMP's Present State

Raghavan's CMP underwent a split after his death. One faction remains within the UDF. State Transport Minister C.P. John, a close associate who quit the CPI(M) alongside Raghavan in 1986, continues to lead that faction today. The anniversary function thus carried layers of historical complexity — a CPI(M) leader honouring a man the party once expelled, at a gathering that underscored how Kerala's fractured communist lineage continues to shape its politics.