'Modi Govt not fascist': CPM alters stand in a rare confidential document

Thiruvananthapuram: In a departure from the stance of its ally, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPM] has apparently revised its position, asserting in its draft political resolution that the Modi government cannot be labelled a fascist regime. This assessment is outlined in a confidential document sent by the CPM Central Committee to state committees.

While the CPI has referred to the Modi government as a fascist regime, the CPI (ML) has gone further, asserting that fascism has already arrived in India. The CPM, however, has rejected both positions, maintaining that its stance is distinct from theirs. The document explains that the fascism of Mussolini and Hitler's era is classified as "classical fascism”, whereas later manifestations are described as "neo-fascism”. According to the new definition, classical fascism emerged from inter-imperialist contradictions, whereas neo-fascism is a product of the crisis of neo-liberalism.

The draft political resolution has been made public ahead of the party congress scheduled for April in Madurai. Once released for discussion among party units and the general public, further modifications through additional notes are not customary.

Earlier stance – Fascist tendencies

The CPM's party programme characterises the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as having fascist traits. Based on this evaluation, the party declared in the last two congresses that the Modi government, under RSS control, exhibits fascist tendencies.

New position – Not fascist

The CPM now maintains that the Modi government cannot be categorised as fascist, nor can the Indian state be depicted as neo-fascist. Over the past decade of uninterrupted Modi rule, political power has been consolidated in the hands of the BJP-RSS. If the RSS-BJP alliance remains unchecked, Hindutva-corporate authoritarianism may advance towards neo-fascism. However, the term "neo-fascist tendencies" does not imply that the government has fully evolved into a neo-fascist regime or political system.