The 2024 Lok Sabha elections have brought some cheers to the Left block comprising CPI, CPI(M) and the CPI(ML)-L as after a long gap, three members have been elected from the Hindi heartland states- two from Bihar belonging to the CPI(ML)-L and one from Rajasthan belonging to the CPI(M). The total strength of the Left block has gone up to eight from the 2019 figure of five- meaning an increase by three seats. But these three seats have great political significance in the present turbulent situation in the country.
A close analysis of 2024 Lok Sabha polls outcome shows that the CPI(M) has got four seats – two from Tamil Nadu as a part of DMK led alliance, one from Kerala, on the basis of its own strength and the most important one from Rajasthan, as a part of INDIA alliance with the Congress but mostly based on the performance of the elected member Amra Ram as a mass leader for decades in Shikar and the adjoining districts. This Rajasthan seat was the only addition for the CPI(M) in 2024 polls but its importance is far more than just the victory in a single seat.
CPI retained its two seats from Tamil Nadu as a part of the DMK led alliance. The party worked very hard for the Begusarai seat in Bihar but the candidate lost despite giving a tough fight. There was no addition to seats of CPI in 2024 polls.
But the most significant victory was of the CPI(ML)-L which won two seats from Bihar out of three seats allotted to it by the INDIA bloc. The two candidates won after a vigorous battle launched by its dedicated cadres on class issues defying the caste based onslaught of the NDA parties, especially BJP. It was a memorable win in Bihar after decades. The entry of two class warriors of the CPI(ML)-L in the 18th Parliament is sure to help in focusing on the real issues being faced by the underprivileged in different parts of the country.
The tally of only eight members of the Left bloc in a house of 543 is miniscule but taking into account the battering of the BHP in the 2024 polls and the possibility of a weak NDA government emerging under Narendra Modi of a diminished stature, opportunities are plenty for focusing the people’s issues in the Lok Sabha. Even if Narendra Modi forms the government, he cannot ignore the just demands of the poor people.
Taking in perspective, the 2024 poll results show that in Kerala, the Left Democratic Front led by the CPI(M) may have just got one seat out of 20, but the voting base has not been affected much. The LDF government is in complete control and the party organisations of both the CPI and the CPI(M) are battle ready for the 2026 assembly polls. The LDF leadership is mature enough to take care of the fault lines, whatever are there, before 2026 polls. The LDF gained massive victory in 2021 assembly elections in Kerala despite faring the same result in 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Kerala.
But the real problem for the CPI(M) leadership relates to West Bengal where once again in 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the CPI(M) as also other Left Front partners got no seat. The declining journey of the CPI(M) which started from 2009 Lok Sabha elections in Bengal is continuing uninterrupted. There has been no serious introspection by the state leadership of the CPI(M) to identify the areas where they have gone wrong in respect of dealing with the Trinamool Congress and the chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
In 2024 polls, the CPI(M) candidates became third in most of the seats, some major candidates forfeited their deposits. State secretary Md. Selim was the only candidate who stood second. The CPI(M)’s vote share as per the latest records went down to 5.61 per cent in 2024 polls as against 6.36 per cent in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP’s vote share was 38.61 per cent and TMC’s 45.80 per cent in 2024 polls respectively.
The problem with the Bengal state leaders is that they are never reconciled with the loss of power in 2011 after reigning supreme for 34 years. They think Mamata Banerjee as an usurper in the state secretariat. There is no considered strategy which will work with people to rouse opinion against the TMC rule. The hard political reality is that Mamata has hijacked social agenda of the Left and implementing it with more vigour. It is not for nothing that the women , the minorities as also the sub alterns identify themselves with Mamata’s programme and respond to her call for defeating BJP.
Right now in Bengal, the Left Front and the CPI(M) have to conduct a thorough introspection of their own programmes. Taking lessons from 2024 polls, Mamata may take some corrective measures to deal with the allegations about corruption. The consultancy firm Ipack and the main consultant Prateek Jain have given some suggestions. These include how to deal with the school teachers scam issue which will come again for hearing in the Supreme Court in the last week of July. The CPI(M) can never expand its base by calling Trinamool as Bejemool and Mamata in cahoots with the BJP. Mamata has vindicated herself as the main fighter against the BJP in Bengal.
The situation needs a complete new thinking on the strategic road map for the revival of the Left in Bengal. The central leaderships of the CPI(M) and the CPI can give special focus on Bengal issue and carry out an assessment of their own. First task is to emerge as the main opposition to TMC in Bengal displacing BJP. Once this task is achieved, others will follow. (IPA Service)
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