KOZHIKODE — In a candid admission that has sent ripples through political circles, Communist Party of India (Marxist) national general secretary M.A. Baby pointed to a crafted narrative of misinformation as a key factor behind his party’s recent electoral struggles in Kerala. Speaking at the opening of a three-day extended State committee meeting on September 13, 2026, Baby didn’t mince words: the Left, he said, should have been sharper, swifter in its response.

Key facts

  • Meeting held September 13, 2026, in Kozhikode
  • Led by CPI(M) national general secretary M.A. Baby
  • Focus on recent electoral setbacks in Kerala
  • Party preparing corrective guidelines based on internal review

A History of Misrepresentation

Baby drew a direct line from past political battles to present challenges. He recalled the 1959 'Liberation Struggle'—a movement backed by the Congress and others against Kerala’s first Communist government—which he labeled an effort to undermine progressive policies. Even then, he noted, the undivided Communist Party saw a 4% vote share increase in the 1960 election, proof that their ideas resonated. But consolidation among anti-Left forces kept them from power.

The 2026 Scenario

Fast forward to 2026, and Baby sees eerie parallels. After the CPI(M)-led front returned to power in the 2021 Assembly polls, he said, a campaign of distortion began. Among the most damaging claims: that the party had cut a deal with the RSS and BJP. That allegation, Baby admitted, swayed many. “We need to examine where we made mistakes in countering such campaigns,” he told attendees, urging both criticism of opponents and self-reflection.

“We should have exposed this false narrative and defeated it, but we did not do it. There were some other lapses as well on our part. We need to correct these mistakes, regain the trust of the people and march forward.”

Looking Ahead

The three-day conference, attended by top leaders including M.V. Govindan and Pinarayi Vijayan, is focused on course correction. A review report from the Central Committee has already been discussed, and the State committee is drafting guidelines for a revival. Deliberations will continue through September 15, with a final report expected by the end. For Baby and the CPI(M), the path forward is clear: rebuild trust, one truthful conversation at a time.