New Delhi: After the demise of Sitaram Yechury, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) is now facing an important decision: who will take over as the new General Secretary?
Yechury’s death marks the first time in the party’s history, founded in 1964, that a General Secretary has passed away while in office. This has sparked discussions about how the party will elect his successor, particularly because of challenges regarding the timing of the election.
Process to elect general secretary of CPI (M)
As per the CPI(M) constitution, the selection of the General Secretary is carried out during the Central Committee meeting. However, the next scheduled meeting of this committee is proposed to take place in about nine months. This raises the question of whether the CPI(M) will amend its constitution to address this urgent need.
Article 15(5) of the CPI(M) constitution outlines how the General Secretary is chosen. The Central Committee is responsible for electing the new leader and this election takes place during a meeting of the All India Congress of the party. During this meeting, members of the Polit Bureau, who assist the General Secretary, are also selected.
Historically, all General Secretaries of CPI(M) have been members of the Polit Bureau before their appointments. Sitaram Yechury, for instance, became the party’s General Secretary in 2015 and his term was extended in 2022.
Next steps for CPI(M)
The next All India Congress meeting, where the new General Secretary would typically be elected, is scheduled for April 2025. However, party members are considering two options:
- Appoint an interim general secretary: One immediate option is to appoint a leader from the Polit Bureau as the Interim General Secretary. However, this process is not outlined in the party’s constitution.
- Call for an earlier meeting: Another option is to convene a special meeting of the Central Committee (CPM Congress) to elect a new General Secretary sooner than planned.
According to former CPI(M) politburo member Hannan Mollah, the party cannot leave the general secretary’s position vacant for too long. He also said that finding a replacement for Yechury will not be easy due to his stature in both the party and the broader democratic movement.
Likely contenders
According to party sources, three names are leading the race for the general secretary position:
- Mohammad Salim: The first name is Bengal CPI(M) Secretary Mohammad Salim, a former Lok Sabha MP and Polit Bureau member since 2015. Known for being a vocal speaker, Salim belongs to the minority community, and with Congress eyeing minority votes, his candidacy may carry strategic importance.
- MV Govindan: Another prominent contender is Kerala CPI(M) secretary MV Govindan, who took charge of the organisation in 2022. With Kerala assembly elections coming up in 2026, Govindan, considered close to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, may be a strong candidate.
- Manik Sarkar: The third name is former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. If the party decides to choose a general secretary from outside Bengal and Kerala, Sarkar might be considered. Sarkar is known for staying neutral and not belonging to any particular faction within the party.
There has also been speculation about Prakash Karat, the former General Secretary, returning to the position. However, Karat, now 75, has already served the maximum of three terms (from 2005 to 2015). For him to return, the party’s constitution would have to be amended, which requires the approval of two-thirds of the Central Committee members.
Role of general secretary in CPI(M)
The General Secretary is the head of the CPI(M) and plays a crucial role in shaping the party’s policies and strategies. While the General Secretary leads key decisions, they are made in consultation with the Polit Bureau, and the Central Committee also has the power to veto any decision.
Sitaram Yechury’s political journey
Sitaram Yechury’s rise to General Secretary came after the CPI(M)’s poor performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. In 2015, Prakash Karat stepped down, and while Ramchandran Pillai was initially seen as the likely successor, he withdrew his candidacy. Yechury was unanimously elected as the General Secretary in his place.
Now, with Yechury’s demise, the party is once again faced with the critical decision of who will take over this role.