Mainstream WeeklyPreliminary remarks :
It is undeniable that the Left in India is at present passing through a crisis which is unprecedented since independence. In contrast to the steady concentration of power in the hands of the Right, the rapid decline of the Left over the years is extremely alarming. This is especially manifest in the marginalization of the Left in Parliament and their exit from power in West Bengal and Tripura. Only in Kerala the Left is still in power, but it is plagued with many problems. The objective of this document is to highlight the nature of the crisis and suggest a rethinking on how to come out of the crisis.
This document is intended for the following categories and hence circulated to them only : (a) General Secretaries of all Left parties at the centre and secretaries of the same in West Bengal. (b) Select Left intellectuals. (c) Select Left leaders of the past. The purpose of this document is to engage them in a fruitful discussion and mobilise their political wisdom as a way out of this impasse.
Nature of the Crisis faced by the Left
Rejection of the Left or looking for an alternative Left ? Our national and international experience are increasingly indicating that the mindset of the Left which was shaped in the Soviet era demands a major change. Internationally, the leading communist parties of the West, i.e. French and Italian Communist Parties are no longer visible in their original form. In India, it is evident after the 18th Lok Sabha election (2024), that the Left has gained primarily in those states where it had alliance with INDIA group partners. Does it mean that people are not ready to vote for the Left as an independent political force but only as the partner of a grand alliance ? In other words, does it indicate that people are not prepared to accept the Left in its present form but in a different form altogether ?
While all major parties of the INDIA alliance have gained politically (Samajvadi Party, DMK, Congress, TMC, RJD etc), the Left