Enthusiastic Reception for New CPI-M General Secretary M.A. Baby Upon Returning to Kerala
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Synopsis
On April 7, M.A. Baby, the newly appointed General Secretary of CPI-M, received a warm welcome at the party's headquarters in Kerala, where he addressed critical national issues discussed during the recent Party Congress in Madurai.
Key Takeaways
- M.A. Baby received a warm welcome on his arrival.
- Key issues discussed at the 24th Party Congress included national concerns.
- Baby emphasized the need to rally behind the Kerala government.
- He highlighted the fascist tendencies of the Modi government.
- Baby has a long history in the CPI-M, having served in various roles.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 7 (NationPress) The CPI-M's newly appointed General Secretary M.A. Baby received an enthusiastic reception upon his arrival at the party's headquarters in Kerala on Monday evening.
Numerous party supporters, including prominent leaders, gathered to welcome him at the entrance of the headquarters.
In a statement to the press, Baby mentioned that issues affecting the nation were deliberated by comrades representing a million party members during the 24th Party Congress held in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, from April 2 to 6.
“My responsibility now is to carry out what has been outlined and discussed at the Party Congress. I wish to emphasize what I stated in Madurai: there are others more capable than I, but I have been entrusted with this role and I accept it. The affection displayed here is not for me, but for the party,” he declared.
“One political resolution passed in Madurai addressed the rising fascist tendencies of the (Narendra) Modi government, particularly the recent attack on the film ('Empuraan'). One character in this film depicts events from the Gujarat riots, and following its release, the Enforcement Directorate has targeted the individuals behind it. This represents a blatant infringement of the law, especially since this film received a censorship certificate from a board filled with RSS affiliates, yet the film and its creators have been persecuted,” Baby remarked.
“Another resolution passed was a call for the entire party across the nation to support the Kerala government, which is being suffocated by the Centre,” added Baby.
At 72 years old, Baby is a two-time Rajya Sabha member and has served as a legislator in the Kerala Assembly on two occasions.
During the tenure of V.S. Achuthanandan (2006-11), he held the position of state Education Minister.
Known for his gentle demeanor, he advanced through the party ranks and joined the Politburo of the CPI-M in 2012.
However, during his lengthy political career, he faced a significant setback when he lost by approximately 37,000 votes to N.K. Premachandran of the RSP in the Kollam constituency during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Following this defeat, Baby, due to his membership in the Politburo, remained largely silent and stayed in Delhi. However, after the sudden passing of the sitting CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, his name emerged as a potential successor, and events aligned for him in Madurai.
Baby is only the second individual from Kerala, after E.M.S. Nampoothiripad, to attain this prestigious position, having joined the CPI-M's Central Committee before Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Critics often view Baby as someone who adheres more to ideology rather than practical Communist principles, which may present a challenge. Furthermore, it is widely acknowledged that he and Vijayan have never fully aligned.
