Key CPI-M Meeting to Appoint New General Secretary

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) is set for a pivotal meeting on Friday to elect a new general secretary following the passing of Sitaram Yechury.

This is the first instance since the party’s founding in 1964 that a sitting general secretary has died in office. The new general secretary will lead the party into its 24th Party Congress, scheduled for April next year, which will elect a new slate of office-bearers.

The politburo will need to decide on Yechury’s immediate successor. Historically, while Yechury’s predecessor Prakash Karat was also from Kerala, the most notable Keralite to hold the position was EMS Namboodiripad, who served from 1978 to 1992.

Currently, the politburo includes several prominent figures from Kerala, such as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, M.A. Baby, A. Vijayaraghavan, and M.V. Govindan. While having strong representation from Kerala could be advantageous, given that it is the party’s last remaining stronghold with a functioning state government, it also presents challenges. The Vijayan administration is facing scrutiny over alleged scandals, and there is dissatisfaction within the party’s national leadership regarding Vijayan’s management of the state unit.

According to party sources, the role of the general secretary is crucial leading up to the Party Congress. The position demands significant effort to ensure the Congress proceeds smoothly, especially as the party faces difficulties in West Bengal and Tripura and prepares for the 2026 Kerala elections.

The politburo’s decision on the new general secretary will be critical for the party’s future direction.