Red Surge: A Revolutionary Pulse Beats Through Kerala at CPI(M)'s 24th State Conference

In Kerala, where the first victory of the proletariat in parliamentary politics echoed worldwide, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], the largest communist party in India and the one that still holds power in the state, wrapped up its 24th State Conference after four days in Kollam district.

As the conference drew to a close on March 9, the city of Kollam transformed into a vast, pulsating red sea, with more than two lakh party cadres and the people of Kollam surging toward Sitaram Yechury Nagar at Ashram Maidan. Their collective strength echoed through the streets like a thunderous wave of revolution. 

At the forefront of this procession was a young comrade, six-year-old Abhi from Chavara, the very soil that had once borne witness to the Channar revolt against the caste oppression. This was a symbol of continuity, where the spirit of rebellion passed from generation to generation.

The Red Volunteers, a force of 25,000 children, young girls, workers, women and youth—moved with the precision of soldiers in a revolutionary march. Their synchronized and unwavering steps carried the weight of history as they marched from QAC Maidan to High School Junction. Volunteers from 166 local committees across 18 area committees flooded the streets, displayed revolutionary fervor.

After receiving the salutes from the Red Volunteers and the sea of red-clad comrades, united in unwavering commitment to the party, CPI(M) Politburo Coordinator Prakash Karat inaugurated the public meeting. He emphasized that the party in Kerala had achieved the highest form of unity, both organizationally and politically. Karat further explained that the party had gained even more strength to face future challenges and congratulated the party for its excellent organizational efforts in ensuring the success of the state conference.

"The party remains steadfast in its strong unity," Karat said. "At this moment, we remember Sitaram Yechury, the former General Secretary of the party, and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the former State Secretary. Their leadership and support at the 23rd Party Congress held in Kannur were invaluable. Following that Congress, the party engaged in three years of continuous struggles, leading ongoing campaigns against Hindutva, corporate dominance, and the Modi government, which represents these forces. The party has taken up the issues of the working class, peasants, agricultural workers, and other oppressed sections of society. We are prepared for uncompromising struggles against the policies of neoliberalism and corporate interests."

Karat further addressed the party's unwavering commitment to opposing the growing challenges faced by the people, citing the struggles against unemployment, inflation, the agricultural crisis, and the social problems caused by neoliberal policies. On the other hand, the party had also led a consistent political campaign against Hindutva and the ideological project led by the RSS-BJP. Over the past decade, under the Modi government, Hindutva forces have systematically infiltrated every instrument of the state, attempting to establish a Hindu nation and political domination through division. The CPI(M) has actively resisted these attempts.

Ahead of the CPI(M)'s 24th All India Party Congress, scheduled to take place in Madurai next month in April, every state in the country is holding its own state conferences. In Kerala, the state conference began on March 5, 2025, coinciding with the death anniversary of the Russian stalwart Joseph Stalin. The flag, flagpole, and torch—having traveled through the lands of martyrs who sacrificed their blood for it—reached Kollam on March 5, marking the official kickoff of the party conference.

During the conference, Kerala’s transformative journey was discussed, highlighting the overthrow of feudalism through land reforms and the rise of the Communist movement in the state. The conference acknowledged the progress made in reducing rural-urban disparities, fostering urbanization, and advancing Kerala’s social welfare under socialist policies. However, it also recognized the challenges posed by communal forces attempting to undermine the state’s unity. The "New Pathways to New Kerala" roadmap was presented as a framework for evaluating the state’s progress, analyzing the party's role in its transformation, and outlining strategies to address emerging challenges.

The roadmap consists of six parts, including an assessment of Kerala’s achievements under the Left Democratic Front (LDF), a self-critical analysis of the party's functioning, and a review of Kerala's socio-economic conditions at the time the LDF first came to power. It evaluates the recent progress made under the LDF, critiques the Union Government’s anti-Kerala policies, and emphasizes socialism as an alternative to the pro-corporate, communal forces dominating the country. The conference reaffirmed its commitment to addressing real issues, standing with the people, and becoming a force that can reshape both Kerala’s future and the broader national landscape.

The conference also passed several resolutions addressing key issues such as the women’s question, the agricultural sector, the health sector, atrocities committed against SC-ST communities, and the vision of building a Kerala that is senior citizen-friendly, alongside other pressing concerns affecting the people of the state. 

A total of 530 participants, including 486 delegates and 44 observers, attended the four-day delegate session. Among them, 75 were women. When Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the State Secretary, stepped down due to health reasons, M.V. Govindan took on the responsibility in August 2022.

The conference re-elected M.V. Govindan as the State Secretary and elected a new 89-member committee, including a 17-member secretariat. Among the committee members, 17 are newcomers, and 13 women, including invitee Veena George, are part of the committee.

After being elected as the state secretary, M.V. Govindan conducted a press meet and said, "A united front of all the turncoats, as pointed out in the Communist Manifesto, is now emerging against the Left Democratic Front and the party in Kerala. We will overcome all crises. The party will face challenges and move forward with greater strength. Both majority communalism and minority communalism have come together to declare that CPI(M) is their common enemy. We must confront this campaign of confusion and disruption."

Govindan further emphasized, "With the support of the people, just as we came to power in the second term, we must create a massive advance in the 2026 elections and the local body elections before that. We must overcome all adverse circumstances and continue moving forward. To achieve this, we must build organizational strength in a manner that will make it possible."