Page 2 - Cpi(m)

Maoists demand ceasefire: CPI(M) offers direct talks with Centre, suspension of armed operations

The Communist Party of India (Maoist) has announced a temporary suspension of armed operations on the condition that the government declare a one-month “ceasefire”.

Left parties call bills to remove PM, CMs over criminal charges 'draconian'

Left parties on Wednesday said the new bills that provide for the removal of the prime minister or chief ministers arrested on serious criminal charges, are a direct "assault" on democracy and the federal framework, and vowed to oppose it "tooth and nail". The government plans to introduce three bills in Parliament on Wednesday for the removal of the prime minister, a Union minister, a chief minister or a minister of a state or Union Territory when arrested or detained on serious criminal charges for 30 days in a row Flaying the move, CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby said on X that "Modi Govt's 3 bills to oust PM, CMs, Ministers after 30 days in custody expose its neo-fascist characteristics. This direct assault on our democracy will be opposed by CPIM tooth and nail. We urge all democratic forces to unite against this draconian move". "These bills, cloaked as tackling crime in high office, reveal their true intent given the RSS-controlled Modi govt's history of undermining elected

PM dishonoured memory of martyrs by praising RSS in I-Day speech: CPI(M)

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday said it is "deeply regrettable" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to praise the RSS in his Independence Day speech, and called it an organisation with a "dubious historical record". In a message greeting the nation on the 79th Independence Day, CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was banned following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and historians have documented the organisation's role in "inciting communal riots". "My heartiest greetings on the 79th Independence Day. India's journey to freedom from colonial rule was long and arduous. Martyrs like Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Ashfaqullah Khan live in our memories not just today, but every single day," Baby said in a post on X. "From Mahatma Gandhi to Subhas Chandra Bose, from Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to Com. P Krishna Pillai, EMS, AKG, Akkamma Cheriyan -- and countless others -- the selfless struggles they waged form the very foundati

PM dishonoured memory of martyrs by praising RSS in I-Day speech: CPI(M)

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday said it is "deeply regrettable" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to praise the RSS in his Independence Day speech, and called it an organisation with a "dubious historical record". In a message greeting the nation on the 79th Independence Day, CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was banned following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and historians have documented the organisation's role in "inciting communal riots". "My heartiest greetings on the 79th Independence Day. India's journey to freedom from colonial rule was long and arduous. Martyrs like Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Ashfaqullah Khan live in our memories not just today, but every single day," Baby said in a post on X. "From Mahatma Gandhi to Subhas Chandra Bose, from Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to Com. P Krishna Pillai, EMS, AKG, Akkamma Cheriyan -- and countless others -- the selfless struggles they waged form the very foundati

Former Kerala CM, CPI-M leader V S Achuthanandan died at the age of 101

Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s official X handle confirmed Achuthanandan's demise

Bihar elections 2025: What's at stake, who's competing, and why it counts

Caste equations, shifting alliances, and regional power bases will define Bihar's high-stakes 2025 election as major parties and smaller players vie for control of the 243-seat Assembly

Protests in Bihar against special intensive revision of electoral rolls

Protests erupted across Bihar on Wednesday against the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, as part of which top leaders of the opposition Mahagathbandhan, including Rahul Gandhi, converged in the state capital. The INDIA bloc, of which the Mahgathbandhan is a part, is supporting the nationwide 'chakka jam' called in protest against the four labour codes, but in Bihar the opposition coalition has chosen to also highlight its reservations against the SIR, which allegedly threatens to "disenfranchise a substantial number of voters", barely a few months ahead of the assembly polls, to "benefit" the ruling NDA. Gandhi was joined by RJD's Tejashwi Yadav besides D Raja, MA Baby and Dipankar Bhattacharya, general secretaries of CPI, CPI(M) and CPI(ML) respectively, in a giant procession that commenced at the Income Tax crossing, around a hundred metres from vital installations such as the Patna High Court, besides offices of many political parties. The leaders stood atop an

The SITA factor: Yechury's essays defend socialism as real choice

This posthumous volume distils Sitaram Yechury's lifelong case for socialism as a path to dignity and justice

The past and the present of new CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby

Ensuring that the CPI(M) remains the largest Hindu party in Kerala - leaving little space for the BJP - is Mr Baby's central priority

Veteran Kerala leader Marian Alexander Baby elected CPI(M) party chief

Baby's election to the top post of the party, and the rejigged 18-member Polit Bureau-its highest decision-making body-where eight new members were inducted

MA Baby elected CPI(M) general secretary; second Keralite to hold post

MA Baby's long-standing experience in the party and his deep organisational roots ultimately won him the top post

CPI(M) calls for 'ceasefire'; ready for peace talks, says Chhattisgarh govt

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma on Wednesday said his government has already clarified it was ready for unconditional peace talks with Naxalites, remarks coming after the top rebel group showed willingness to declare a 'ceasefire' with preconditions. A statement attributed to outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist), which was being circulated on social media on Wednesday, set preconditions for a ceasefire, including halting anti-Naxal operations and stopping setting up of new camps of security forces. The banned group, which has been facing depletion in its ranks following heavy casualties in frequent encounters with security forces, has asked Central and state governments to create a conducive environment for peace talks. The statement dated March 28, 2025 purportedly issued by Abhay, a spokesperson of the Central Committee of Maoists, surfaced two days ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's scheduled visit to Chhattisgarh. Reacting to the purported Maoists'

Only Left has conviction to counter Hindutva neo-fascism: Prakash Karat

Only the Left has the wherewithal and conviction to fight and counter Hindutva "neo-fascism", and the CPI(M) will work toward building a Left and democratic alternative to the BJP, CPI(M) interim coordinator Prakash Karat said at the 24th party congress that kicked off here on Wednesday. Speaking at the inaugural session of the party congress that will decide the CPI(M)'s line of action in the days to come, Karat said the nature of the government and the ruling party can be gauged by asking three questions -- Who claims to be friend of Donald Trump? Who is a close friend of Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani? Who owes loyalty to the RSS? "The answer to all three questions is the same -- Narendra Modi and the BJP," Karat said. Claiming that the Modi government represents the "Hindutva-corporate nexus that is closely allied to US imperialism", Karat said that in its third term, the government is displaying "neo-fascist characteristics", which entail the constant targeting of the Muslim ..

What is the controversy over film 'Empuraan' for which Mohanlal apologised?

Empuraan, second part of the 'Lucifer' franchise, has become a topic of hot debate over its critique of right-wing politics and the covert mention of the 2002 Gujarat riots

Communists may enter 21st century, but only in 22nd: Tharoor mocks LDF

In a stinging jibe at Kerala's LDF government, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday said the Communist parties will one day finally enter the 21st century, but it may only be in the 22nd. His remarks came after the Kerala Assembly on Tuesday passed the Kerala State Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Bill, 2025, which marks a break from the CPI(M)-led government's long-standing opposition to the privatisation of education. Tharoor said, "So Kerala's LDF government has finally done the right thing, by permitting private universities to open in the state. As usual, the decision comes about 15 to 20 years late, which is usually the case with those anchored in a 19th century ideology." Never forget that when computers first came to India, Communist goons entered public sector offices to smash them, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram said in his post on X. The only parties to object to the introduction of mobile telephones in India were also the communist ones, Tharoo

CPI raises bank unions' demand of 5-day working in Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha CPI member Sandosh Kumar P on Tuesday asked the finance minister to address the bank unions' genuine demands, including filling up vacant posts in public sector banks, and five-day working. Raising the issue during Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, Kumar said the United Forum of Bank Unions, an umbrella organisation of nine unions, has called for a 48-hour bank strike on March 24-25 to press for their demands. Stressing that bank employees, especially in public sector banks, are facing a lot of problems, he said the strike is going to affect the banking sector. One of the major issues is shortage of staff in public sector banks, he said. Sandosh said there are about 2.11 lakh vacancies in banks. Lack of adequate staff is adversely affecting mental health of workers as they are overburdened. Another issue is related to five-day working for bank employees. "It was a demand from bank employees, and there is a consensus also. The bank authorities, the Indian Bank Association, als

CPI(M) aiming to recover WB base, unite Left forces against TMC, BJP: Karat

The CPI(M) is aiming to recover its base in West Bengal and will try to bring together "Left and democratic forces" against both the TMC and the BJP, party leader Prakash Karat has said. He added that no discussions had been held on whether the Left Front and the Congress would contest the assembly polls, due in 2026, in an alliance. In an interview with PTI, the CPI(M) interim coordinator stressed that the party losing ground in West Bengal was a major reason behind its declining electoral strength. The CPI(M) is focusing on working among the rural poor to regain its traditional support base, Karat said. Asked about the party's standing in West Bengal, which the CPI(M)-led Left Front governed for 34 years between 1977 and 2011 before losing to the TMC, the veteran leader highlighted the recent mobilisations of youngsters, including during the protests against the RG Kar rape and murder incident. "I am not talking only about our party but all Left and progressive forces (that) cam

Central agencies being used to subdue political opponents, says CPI(M) MP

Central investigative agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are being used to subdue political opponents of the Centre, not just in Kerala but across India, CPI(M) MP K Radhakrishnan alleged on Friday. Radhakrishnan made the allegation while responding to reporters' queries on an ED notice received by him to appear before the agency in connection with the Karuvannur Cooperative Bank scam case. The MP said that the notice does not mention the Karuvannur case and instead it asks him to produce details of his assets, including bank accounts and land records. "I have sent a letter stating that I cannot appear before the agency now due to the ongoing Parliament session. I will appear before it after the session is over," he said. Radhakrishnan, the MP from Alathur Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala, said that he was ready to face any investigation. "They are looking for assets that I have earned. Let them investigate and find out," he said. The ED has summoned Radhakrishnan for

Kerala ASHA workers live on hope as promised wage hike remains elusive

As women health care workers' protest enters 30th day amid political blame game, ADITI PHADNIS explores the Centre-state funding ratio debate

BJP has highest income share among national parties with 74.57%: ADR report

Six national parties - BJP, INC, CPI(M), AAP, BSP and NPEP - have declared a total income of Rs 5,820.912 crore, according to ADR report