CPI(M) Bengal State Meet Focuses on Youth and Rural Voters
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] kicked off its 27th state conference in Hooghly, West Bengal, on Saturday, with leaders stressing the urgent need to induct more young members and reconnect with rural voters.
Top CPI(M) leaders, including central committee coordinator Prakash Karat, attended the four-day event, which comes at a critical time for the party, once a dominant force in Bengal.
Prakash Karat’s Call for Youth Induction
In his inaugural speech, Karat acknowledged the party’s weakening grip over the state it ruled for 34 consecutive years until losing to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 2011.
- He warned that CPI(M) cannot counter either TMC or BJP unless it brings in more young members.
- He emphasized that having young leaders is not enough—the party must also ensure a broad base of young workers.
Delegates noted that former CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, who passed away last year, had repeatedly highlighted this issue.
Declining Support: From 30% Votes to 5.67%
CPI(M)’s vote share has seen a drastic decline over the years:
| Year | Vote Share in Bengal |
|---|---|
| 2011 (Lost to TMC) | 30.08% |
| 2024 Lok Sabha Polls | 5.67% |
Party leaders admitted that their once-strong rural support base has eroded significantly. State secretary Md Salim acknowledged this issue in his address, stating that the growing disconnect with rural voters must be fixed.
What’s Next for CPI(M)?
CPI(M) will discuss these concerns at its 24th party congress in Madurai in April. The conference began by paying tribute to Sitaram Yechury and former Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who passed away last year.
With Bengal’s political landscape dominated by BJP and TMC, CPI(M) faces a tough road ahead unless it successfully rebuilds its base and engages younger voters.
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