Madurai, Tamil Nadu | April 6, 2025 —In a sweeping leadership change at the 24th Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), MA Baby, a seasoned leader and former Education Minister of Kerala, has been elected as the new General Secretary of CPI-M. This marks a generational shift within the party, as veterans Prakash Karat, Brinda Karat, and Manik Sarkar step down from the Politburo.
A Historic Moment in CPI-M’s Evolution
The developments took place at the party’s ongoing 24th Congress in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. This transformation comes as the party confronts a shrinking political footprint, having lost ground in former bastions like West Bengal and Tripura, and now largely holding sway only in Kerala, in alliance with other Left parties.
Who Is MA Baby?
MA Baby, aged 70, is a trusted face in Kerala’s political landscape. A former minister with deep ideological roots and decades of commitment to the party, he emerged as the consensus choice after names like Ashok Dhawale, BV Raghavulu, and Mohd Salim were discussed.
Dhawale, a strong contender, was eventually overlooked due to CPI-M’s unwritten age ceiling rule. At 72, he would surpass the party’s age limit of 75 within three years.
Politburo Gets a New Look
Eight new members have been inducted into the CPI-M Politburo, introducing a more diverse and energetic team. The newly appointed leaders include:
- U Vasuki
- Mariam Dhawale
- Vijoo Krishnan
- Amra Ram
- K Balakrishnan
- Srideep Bhattacharya
Notably, the Politburo now includes two women members, reflecting a modest but significant step towards gender representation. Meanwhile, the Central Committee now has 17 women leaders.
Farewell to the Veterans
The stepping down of Prakash Karat, Brinda Karat, and Manik Sarkar marks the end of an era. These stalwarts have shaped the ideological course of the party for decades. However, in a nod to their continued relevance, all three will now serve as special invitees to the Central Committee.
This move ensures the party continues to benefit from their insights, while making space for fresh perspectives in its highest decision-making body.
Age Rule Strictly Followed
Sources within the party indicate that several sections had lobbied for exceptions in the case of senior leaders. Some pushed for Brinda Karat to stay on, while others backed Manik Sarkar. However, the leadership remained firm: no exemptions based on stature would be allowed, in keeping with CPI-M’s age norms.
What This Means for CPI-M
This leadership overhaul is more than a cosmetic change. With CPI-M’s influence waning on the national stage, the party is now betting on organizational rejuvenation and a return to grassroots-level engagement. The focus appears to be on youth, diversity, and gender inclusivity, while preserving the ideological core that CPI-M has long stood for.
The question that remains is — will this strategic reset help the party regain lost ground?
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