[Polity] Difference Between CPI, CPM and other Communist Parties of India

Enter your email address

Once you subscribe,
you'll get my full articles
in your email for free!
See Below
The Number of readers
I already have!

Question by Shinos of IOForum

What is the ideological difference between CPI and CPM? or isn't there any difference?

The Split of CPI, CPM

• CPI=Communist Party of India, CPM =Communist Party of India (Marxist)
• Official reason: After the Sino-India war of 1962, The Pro-Chinese members of CPI, walked out to form their own party CPI (Marxist) due to the ideological differences with the parent organization.
• In terms of Seats won in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and State assembly elections, CPM is stronger party than CPI.

Other Differences

	CPI	CPM (Marxist)
Leaders	A.B.Bardhan D.Raja	Prakash & Brinda Karat Sitaram Yechuri Buddhadeb Bhattachrya (Ex-CM of Bengal)
Election Symbol	Sickle and a cob of Wheat	Hammer, Sickle and Star.
Ideology	National Democracy Joint Leadership of Working class+ Bourgeoisie	People’s Democracy: Leadership of Working class only.
Power (Becoming Ministers)	Don’t mind becoming part of Government run by other coalition partners (Congress et al).	Don’t want to be part of any Government unless we enjoy majority in parliament/SLA.

CPI (Marxist and Leninist)

• Formed in 1969
• Leaders: Kanu Sanyal, Charu-Majmudaar.
• Responsible for the Naxalite movement of 70s.
• Later after splits and mergers among different groups: it became PWG (People’s War group).

CPI (Maoist)

• Founded in 2004, After merger of PWG with MCC (Maoist Communist Centre of India)
• Leader: Muppala Lakshmana Rao (Ganapati)
• It aims to overthrow Government of India via violent means.
• It is a banned organization under Unlawful activities prevention act.

Situation in Kerala

LDF (Left Democratic Front)

• It is the coalition of CPI, CPM and other leftist parties in Kerala. (Just like UPA at Centre).
• VS Achyutanand was their leader and CM.

UDF (United Democratic Front)

• Coalition of Congress, Indian Union muslim league et al
• It defeated LDF in 2011 Kerala State assembly elections, and Oman Chandy of Congress became the new CM of Kerala.