Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Bengal CPM Sharpens RSS Battle, Seeks Grassroots Revival
The Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPM, held a meeting in Bengal.
Leaders told party workers to reconnect with people in villages and workplaces.
They especially want to reach labourers and other ordinary citizens.
The CPM says the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, or RSS, is an important force behind the Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP.
It accused the RSS and BJP of creating religious divisions.
M.A. Baby asked workers to explain what the party called their divisive politics.
Md.
Salim said the fight also concerns democracy, jobs, schools, farmers, housing and voting rights.
The party has not clearly said whether it will work with the Trinamool Congress in a wider national effort against the BJP.
The Bengal CPM urged cadres to rebuild grassroots connections, especially with labourers.
Party leaders identified the RSS as the principal ideological force behind the BJP’s rise in Bengal.
M.A. Baby called for exposing alleged communal politics and isolating the RSS-BJP.
Md. Salim framed the campaign as a broader struggle for democracy, rights and social welfare.
The CPM’s independent stance leaves open whether it will coordinate with the Trinamool Congress nationally against the BJP.
- Who
- The Bengal CPM, including national general secretary M.A. Baby and state secretary Md. Salim.
- What
- The party directed cadres to rebuild grassroots organisation and intensify its ideological opposition to the RSS-BJP.
- When
- At an extended state committee meeting held on Saturday and Sunday.
- Where
- Kalyani, Bengal.
- Why
- The CPM says the RSS is threatening Bengal’s pluralistic culture and is the main force behind the BJP’s political rise in the state.
CPM Position
Political Uncertainty
Nature of the BJP-RSS relationship
CPM Position
The CPM says the BJP is the electoral and governmental face of a broader RSS-led ideological project.
Political Uncertainty
The article does not provide a separate BJP or RSS response to the CPM’s characterization.
Political strategy in Bengal
CPM Position
The CPM wants an independent, direct ideological fight against the RSS while opposing the BJP’s politics.
Political Uncertainty
The party’s continuing rivalry with the Trinamool Congress creates uncertainty over how broadly it can coordinate against the BJP.
National opposition coordination
CPM Position
The CPM presents its campaign as part of a wider fight for democracy and people’s rights.
Political Uncertainty
Its leadership has not clearly stated whether it would join an INDIA-style arrangement with the Trinamool Congress.
- Meeting attendance
- The extended state committee meeting included 355 delegates from across Bengal.
- Grassroots focus
- Cadres were asked to reconnect with people, particularly labourers.
- Primary target
- The CPM identified the RSS as the principal ideological challenge in Bengal.
- Key speakers
- M.A. Baby and Md. Salim addressed delegates during the meeting.
- Political message
- Baby urged workers to expose what the CPM described as RSS-BJP divisive politics.
- Broader issues
- Salim cited farmers’ crop prices, schools, employment, housing, voting rights and women’s dignity.
- Unresolved question
- The CPM has not clarified whether it would join an INDIA-style arrangement with the Trinamool Congress.