Thiruvananthapuram: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) has sparked a heated political debate after its central leadership released a document stating that the Modi government cannot be outrightly termed as fascist. This position has led to sharp reactions from across the political spectrum, with the Congress strongly criticizing the CPM, the CPI demanding a revision, and the BJP welcoming the stance.
CPM Clarifies Position
Amid the backlash, senior CPM leader Thomas Isaac clarified that the party’s stance remains unchanged and that the document was only providing an explanation of a particular phrase in its political resolution. “The Modi government displays fascist tendencies but has not yet become a fully-fledged fascist regime,” he stated.
Congress Attacks, CPI Seeks Revision
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala accused the CPM of softening its stance towards the BJP, questioning whether the party would now label the ruling government as progressive. He alleged that the CPM had secretly collaborated with the BJP in previous elections, misleading the public.
Meanwhile, the CPI has taken a firm stance against the CPM’s position, with state secretary Binoy Viswam insisting that the Modi government should be unequivocally termed fascist. He argued that the BJP has been actively implementing a fascist ideology by leveraging religion for political gain. Viswam stressed that if the CPM refrains from using the term today, they would be forced to revise their position in the future.
BJP Welcomes CPM’s Remark
On the other hand, BJP leader M T Ramesh welcomed the CPM’s acknowledgment, remarking, “Better late than never.” He suggested that the CPM was finally recognizing the political reality.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the debate over whether the Modi government fits the definition of fascism remains a contentious issue in Indian politics.
