Despite sharing the basic principles of Marxism, the merger of CPI and CPI(M) is not plain-sailing
The death of former CPI(M) Kerala secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and the ban-related issues of the Popular Front of India, came in handy for the CPI, the poor cousins of the former, to tide over the dilemma of an internal struggle that cropped up during its State Conference held at Thiruvananthapuram last week. Though Kanam Rajendran, the reigning State Secretary was re-elected unanimously, many delegates went back sobbing for being left out of the State Council. Even the presence of D Raja, the national secretary of the party failed to minimise the dissident activities, something unheard of in the CPI. C Divakaran and K E Ismail, the main challengers to Rajendran, were dropped out of all decision-making bodies citing the fact that both have crossed the age limit of 75. Divakaran declared that he would die as a CPI member though his dream of becoming the party secretary was shattered.
Raja went to the extent of repeating the willingness of the CPI to merge with the CPI(M). But the CPI(M) which was formed by the 32 members of the CPI national council who walked out in protest against the stance of the parent party vis-Ã -vis the then Soviet Union and China, remained indifferent to the plea. Though both the CPI and the CPI(M) are in the same front since 1980, the Marxists, the more leftist than the parent party, have not pardoned the CPI for its cohabitation with the Congress till 1980. The CPI enjoyed the chief ministership of Kerala from 1969 to 1980 with the support of Congress. C Achutha Menon and P K Vasudevan Nair were sworn in as chief ministers with the support of the Congress and the Muslim League. Though there are no ideological differences between the two Communist outfits, the CPI(M) has no love lost towards its mother organisation despite the open invitation by the CPI leaders for the merger. The truth is that the CPI is a party of leaders while the CPI(M) has a vast cadre. The Marxists are not interested in carrying extra baggage which is of no use for it. Though secularism and socialism would get a shot in the arm by the merger of two parties, the CPI reminds one of “Barkis is Willing” syndrome in Charles Dickens's novel David Copperfield.