In Indian politics, if any party first raised the voice of workers, farmers and deprived classes in an organized form, then it has been the Communist Party of India i.e. CPI. This party was not just a political organization, but emerged as an ideological movement, which deeply influenced the politics of the country before and after independence. Although today the political power of CPI seems limited, there was a time when it was the largest party in the country after Congress.
The date of establishment of CPI remains a matter of debate even today. There are two different perceptions regarding this within the party and in the left wing. CPI’s official claim is that the party was formed on 26 December 1925 in Kanpur. Representatives from all over the country had come to the founding conference held on the same day and the party got an organized political structure. Whereas CPI(M) i.e. Marxist Communist Party believes that the real foundation of CPI was laid in Tashkent on 17 October 1920, when Indian communists started organized activities for the first time. This ideological disagreement later became the reason for the historic partition of 1964.
Kanpur Conference of 1925 and the party’s thinking
In the foundation conference held in Kanpur, CPI had laid out its goals in very clear words. The party believed that to liberate India from British rule, only political independence is not enough, but economic and social changes are also necessary. CPI was talking about bringing the means of production under the control of the society and establishing a worker-peasant based republic. At that time, these ideas were the biggest threat to the British rule.
Strict distance from communal politics
The ideology of CPI has been against religion-based politics since the beginning. The party had made it clear that a person who is associated with any communal organization cannot become a member of CPI. The British government viewed CPI with suspicion from the beginning. The first major ban was imposed on the party in 1934, which lasted until 1942. During this period the party had to work underground. There was continuous pressure on CPI even in the years immediately before independence. During this period, P.C. Joshi became the general secretary of the party, reviving the organization and presenting the CPI as a strong political alternative in independent India.
Golden period of CPI after independence
CPI gave a shocking performance in the first general elections of 1952. The party emerged as the second largest force in the Lok Sabha after Congress and 16 MPs reached Parliament. During this period, CPI established its strong grassroots hold through labor movements, farmer struggles and trade unions.
Partition of 1964 and the turn of left politics
In 1964, ideological differences became so deep that CPI split into two parts. On one side CPI remained, on the other side CPI(M) was formed. Gradually the CPI(M) emerged as a more aggressive and organized left force, while the CPI moved towards relatively soft and cooperative politics.
Both conflict and cooperation with Congress
CPI’s politics kept changing with time. Sometimes he supported Indira Gandhi government and sometimes he emphasized on Left unity. Between 1996 and 1998, CPI played an important role in the United Front governments. From 2004 to 2008, the party externally supported the UPA-1 government, but withdrew support on the issue of the nuclear deal.
Today’s CPI limited strength, but grassroots presence
At present, the parliamentary strength of CPI is limited, but the party is not completely destroyed. It has two MPs in the Lok Sabha and the party also has a presence in the Rajya Sabha. CPI is still a part of the ruling coalitions in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The organizational hold of the party in these states is considered to be much stronger than the rest of the country.
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