Modi Govt Not Fascist? CPM Explains

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

• CPM says Modi government exhibits “neo-fascist characteristics,” but isn’t “fascist.”
• This stance has angered the Congress and CPI.
• The CPM made this statement ahead of its party congress in April.
• Sitaram Yechury previously drew parallels between the Modi government and fascism.
• The Congress says the CPM is making secret deals with the BJP.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Modi Govt Not Fascist? CPM’s Explanation Rattles Congress and CPI

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) has shaken and startled the Congress and the Communist Party of India (CPI) by saying it doesn’t consider the Narendra Modi-led Central government “fascist” or “neo-fascist.” The issue has driven a wedge between the Opposition parties, with the CPI and the Congress launching a scathing attack on the CPM. The CPM’s stance on the Modi government has raised several questions.

CPM’s Explanation

The CPM explanation is part of the party’s draft note on political resolutions sent to its state units ahead of the 24th Party Congress meeting in April. The stance seems to be a departure from the party’s previous stand on the BJP and RSS “carrying out fascist agendas.” Previously, CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury had drawn parallels between the Modi government and fascism. This change by the party is surprising.

CPI’s Demand

While the CPM has defended its stance, the CPI, from which it split in 1964, has demanded a correction. Their senior national ally, the Congress, has dismissed it as a “survival” tactic.

Kerala’s Equation

Though these three parties are allies at the national level, in Kerala, the CPM and CPI are part of the ruling LDF, while the Congress leads the Opposition UDF.

Tushar Gandhi’s Reaction

Reacting to the change in the CPM’s stance, author Tushar Gandhi wrote on X, “CPM Kerala refuses to brand the Modi Government as being Fascist. Is CPM rolling out its Red Flag as a red carpet to welcome RSS to Kerala? Is Lal becoming Bhagva?”

CPM’s Changing Stance

The CPM’s draft political resolution, set to be discussed at its 24th Party Congress in April, has held that while the Modi government exhibits “neo-fascist characteristics,” it does not qualify as a “fascist or neo-fascist government.”

CPM’s Argument

The CPM’s draft resolution notes, “We are not saying that the Modi government is a fascist or neo-fascist government. Nor are we characterising the Indian State as a neo-fascist State. What we are pinpointing is that after 10 years of continuous rule by the BJP, which is the political wing of the RSS, there has been a consolidation of political power in the hands of the BJP-RSS, resulting in the manifestation of ‘neo-fascist characteristics’.”

AK Balan’s Defense

CPM’s Central Committee member AK Balan has defended the party’s stance. According to Balan, the party has never termed the BJP government a fascist regime.

Proof of Fascism

According to Balan, the CPI and the CPI(ML) are of the view that fascism has arrived. Balan also reportedly sought proof of Fascism if it had really “arrived in India.”

What is Neo-Fascism?

The CPM said it distinguished between classical fascism, which emerged during the inter-imperialist era, and neo-fascism, which is a product of the crisis within neoliberalism.

Neo-Fascism According to CPM

Neo-fascism, according to the CPM, involves authoritarian tendencies within democratic frameworks, unlike classical fascism, which rejected electoral systems altogether. This debate continues in the context of the Modi government.

Congress’s Attack

The Congress sharply criticized the CPM’s stance, saying, “The CPM means business, literally!” The Kerala Congress wrote on X, “The party, which is called the Communist Janata Party (CJP) in Kerala due to its covert dealings with BJP, is playing with fire by whitewashing the BJP fascist regime with their outrageous theory that BJP is not fascist.”

VD Satheesan’s Allegation

Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, alleged that the new document reflected a “secret relationship” between the CPM and BJP. The CPM’s stance has shaken up the opposition parties.

CPI’s Criticism

A junior partner of the CPM, the CPI has been vocal in labelling the Modi government “fascist” and demanded a correction from its Left ally. CPI’s Kerala state secretary Binoy Viswam said, “The RSS is a fascist organisation. The Modi-led BJP government under the RSS is indeed a fascist government. The CPM will have to revise its position.”

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

• CPM says the Modi government isn’t “fascist.”
• The Congress and CPI have criticized the CPM’s stance.
• The CPM says the Modi government exhibits “neo-fascist characteristics.”
• Sitaram Yechury previously drew parallels between the Modi government and fascism.
• The Congress says the CPM is making secret deals with the BJP.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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