Who Will Succeed as CPI-M General Secretary: Baby, Dhawale, or Salim?
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Synopsis
As the CPI-M Party Congress approaches, the race for a new General Secretary heats up with candidates Baby, Dhawale, and Salim. With significant historical context and party dynamics at play, the decision is crucial for the party's future.
Key Takeaways
- 24th CPI-M Party Congress set to commence in Tamil Nadu.
- Three candidates: Baby, Dhawale, Salim.
- No General Secretary from Kerala since 1992.
- Kerala unit's support crucial for candidates.
- Retirement rules may impact candidate selection.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 31 (NationPress) With only hours remaining until the commencement of the 24th CPI-M Party Congress in Tamil Nadu's Madurai on April 2, the party's national leadership is racing against time to reach a consensus on the new General Secretary before the party flag is raised at the five-day event.
Currently, three prominent figures are being considered for the prestigious position: M.A. Baby, the senior-most member of the Central Committee and a member of the Politburo from Kerala; Ashok Dhawale, President of the All India Kisan Sabha and a key peasant leader from Maharashtra; and the veteran Mohammed Salim from West Bengal.
This time, interest is heightened as it has been since the departure of the legendary EMS Nampoothiripad in 1992 that no one from Kerala has held the position of General Secretary.
Among the candidates, Salim has indicated his preference to remain in his home state, focusing on revitalizing the party that previously dominated for over three decades but has since weakened with the rise of Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress, along with the growing influence of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
On the other hand, the Kerala unit, solidly backed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, does not support Dhawale, leaving uncertainty over whether Baby will receive the endorsement.
However, there is a complication as Baby is not in favor with Vijayan, raising questions about whether the party will extend terms to any retiring Politburo members, considering the party's constitution mandates retirement at age 75. The sole exception has been Vijayan.
Even with the odds favoring Baby, it remains to be seen if the Party Congress will align with Baby or yield to Vijayan's preferences.
In addition to Vijayan, other members aged over 75 include the current General Secretary Prakash Karat, his wife Brinda Karat, Manik Sarkar, Subhashini Ali, Surjya Kanta Mishra, and G. Ramakrishnan.
