Communist Party of India (Marxist)
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (abbreviated as CPI(M)) is a communist political party in India.[5] It is the largest communist party in India in terms of membership and electoral seats, and one of the national parties of India.[8] The party was founded through a splitting from the Communist Party of India in 1964 and it quickly became the dominant faction.
For parties with similar names, see Communist Party of India (disambiguation).
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
CPI(M), CPIM, CPM
7 November 1964
A. K. Gopalan Bhawan, 27–29, Bhai Vir Singh Marg, New Delhi-110 001
Red
- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (National)
- Secular Progressive Alliance (Tamil Nadu,Puducherry)
- Left Front (Tripura)
- Left Front (West Bengal)
- Secular Democratic Alliance (West Bengal)
- Left Democratic Front (Kerala)
- United Opposition Forum (Assam)
- Mahagathbandhan (Bihar)
- Maha Vikas Aghadi (Maharashtra)
- People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (Jammu and Kashmir)
- Samajwadi Alliance (Uttar Pradesh)
- Manipur Progressive Secular Alliance (Manipur)
The 34 years of CPI(M) led Left Front rule in West Bengal was the longest-serving democratically elected communist-led government in the world. It has been also the third largest party of parliament several times.[9] Presently, CPI(M) is a part of ruling alliances in two states - the LDF in Kerala, which it leads, and the SPA in Tamil Nadu. It also has representation in the legislative assemblies of seven states.
The All-India Party Congress is the supreme authority of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).[10] However, during the time between two party congresses, the Central Committee is the highest decision-making body.[10] The Central Committee shall elect from among its members a Polit Bureau including the General Secretary.[10] The Polit Bureau carries on the work of the Central Committee between its two sessions and has the right to take political and organisational decisions in between two meetings of the Central Committee.[10]
CPI(M) had a total income of ₹1,620,000,000 in fiscal year 2021–22. The party reported zero funding from Electoral Bonds.[11][12]
Name
CPI(M) is officially known as भारत की कम्युनिस्ट पार्टी (मार्क्सवादी) [Bhārat kī Kamyunisṭ Pārṭī (Mārksvādī)] in Hindi, but it is often known as मार्क्सवादी कम्युनिस्ट पार्टी (Mārksvādī Kamyunisṭ Pārṭī, abbreviated MaKaPa) in press and media circles. During its initial years after the split, the party was often referred to by different names such as 'Left Communist Party' or 'Communist Party of India (Left)'. The party has used the name 'Left' because CPI people were dubbed 'rightist' in nature for their support of the Congress-Nehru regime. During the Kerala Legislative Assembly elections of 1965, the party adopted the name 'Communist Party of India (Marxist)' and applied to obtain its election symbol from the Election Commission of India.[13]
Indian Presidential elections
2002 presidential election
In the 2002 Presidential election, Left Front announced Captain Lakshmi Sehgal as its presidential candidate. Against her was the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's candidate A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.[176] CPI(M)'s leadership announced that in form of Captain Lakshmi, they were fielding an 'Alternative Candidate'. They said that though it was clear that Captain Lakshmi could not become president because of the opposition of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Indian National Congress to her, yet through this Presidential Election, the Left wished to raise key national issues and make them heard by the masses.[177] Captain Lakshmi herself pointed out that this Presidential election reflected the opposition of the Indian Left to the communal-sectarian politics of BJP, and the Left's solidarity with the religious minorities who had suffered greatly under the NDA's leadership.[178]
2012 Presidential election
While CPI(M) supported Pranab Mukherjee as presidential candidate in 2012 presidential election, it was in favour of a non-Congress candidate for the post of the Vice-President.[179]
A large number of parties have been formed as a result of splits from the CPI(M), such as
