Who Was Sitaram Yechury?

Sitaram Yechury, the long-time leader and former General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], played a pivotal role in Indian politics through his staunch opposition to the Congress party. Yechury’s career, marked by fierce criticism of Congress, particularly for its neoliberal policies, as well as his crucial involvement in the anti-Emergency movement, helped shape the political landscape in India. His opposition to Congress was not merely ideological but stemmed from significant historical events that left a lasting imprint on his political life.

The Ideological Divide: Socialism vs. Neoliberalism

Yechury’s opposition to Congress was deeply rooted in the ideological conflict between CPI(M)’s socialist principles and Congress’s gradual shift toward centrist, neoliberal economic policies. Congress, under leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, initially embraced socialist ideals but increasingly adopted market-friendly reforms, particularly in the 1990s under P.V. Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh.

Yechury, who rose to prominence within CPI(M) during this period, remained a fierce defender of Marxist values. He argued that Congress had betrayed its earlier socialist roots by promoting privatization, deregulation, and liberalization policies that, in his view, exacerbated inequality and favored corporate interests over workers and peasants. For Yechury, Congress’s move away from a welfare state to a neoliberal model signaled a shift that alienated the working class and led to the marginalization of rural India.

The Emergency: Yechury’s Defining Political Moment

One of the key moments that solidified Yechury’s opposition to Congress was the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi from 1975 to 1977. During this time, civil liberties were suspended, political opponents were jailed, and the press was heavily censored. Yechury, then a young student leader at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), became an active figure in the resistance against the Emergency.

As a member of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Yechury was arrested for his role in organizing protests against Indira Gandhi’s authoritarian regime. His experiences during the Emergency shaped his long-standing view that Congress, under Indira Gandhi, had shown an inherent tendency towards authoritarianism. Yechury often cited the Emergency as an example of Congress’s willingness to suppress dissent and curtail democratic freedoms, reinforcing CPI(M)’s opposition to the party.

Forcing Indira Gandhi’s Resignation as Chancellor of JNU

In the post-Emergency era, Yechury played a pivotal role in organizing student protests at JNU, which culminated in Indira Gandhi stepping down as the Chancellor of the university. Yechury, as a prominent student leader, led the movement against Gandhi’s continued association with JNU, as students believed her actions during the Emergency were incompatible with the democratic and intellectual values of the institution.

The protests represented a broader rejection of authoritarianism and symbolized a victory for student activism and democratic resistance. Gandhi eventually resigned from her position, marking an important political achievement for Yechury and the student movement of the time.

Post-Emergency Opposition: Critique of Congress’s Economic and Social Policies

After the Emergency, Yechury continued to oppose Congress, particularly as the party embraced economic reforms in the 1990s that shifted India toward a more open market economy. For Yechury, these reforms undermined the socialist foundations of Indian democracy. He believed that Congress’s policies, such as privatization and disinvestment in public sector enterprises, primarily benefited the wealthy and left the working class more vulnerable.

Yechury was especially critical of Congress’s role in promoting foreign direct investment and globalization, which he argued hurt local industries and widened economic disparities. His steadfast opposition to Congress’s neoliberal agenda was a key part of CPI(M)’s platform during his time as a leader. He believed that Congress had abandoned its commitment to the poor, workers, and peasants, which were historically the base of CPI(M)’s support.

The Electoral Rivalry: West Bengal and Kerala

CPI(M)’s rivalry with Congress was especially pronounced in states like West Bengal and Kerala, where the two parties had long been adversaries. In West Bengal, the Left Front, led by CPI(M), governed for over three decades (1977-2011), during which Congress was its main opposition. Yechury, with strong roots in West Bengal politics, inherited this historical rivalry, which shaped his political stance at the national level.

In Kerala, the political battle between CPI(M) and Congress played out in every election, with the two parties alternating power. As CPI(M)’s General Secretary, Yechury was deeply involved in maintaining CPI(M)’s stronghold in Kerala and ensuring that the party remained a force to counter Congress’s influence in the state.

Pragmatism and Alliances with Congress

Despite his staunch ideological opposition to Congress, Yechury was also pragmatic in his approach to political alliances. In later years, he recognized the necessity of cooperating with Congress, particularly to counter the growing strength of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He understood that in India’s fragmented political system, it was often impossible to defeat a common adversary without forming broad coalitions.

For example, ahead of the 2019 general elections, Yechury advocated for a united front of secular parties, including Congress, to defeat the BJP. He emphasized that while CPI(M) had fundamental differences with Congress, the greater priority was to stop the rise of right-wing forces in the country. This stance, while pragmatic, drew criticism from some within CPI(M), particularly from its West Bengal faction, which remained vehemently opposed to any alliance with Congress.

Foreign Policy and Opposition to Congress

Yechury’s opposition to Congress also extended to its foreign policy, particularly during the years of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government (2004-2014). He was a vocal critic of the Indo-US nuclear deal, which he argued compromised India’s sovereignty and aligned the country too closely with the United States. Yechury advocated for a more independent foreign policy that would distance India from global superpowers like the US and China.

This critique of Congress’s foreign policy was rooted in Yechury’s broader opposition to neoliberal globalization, which he believed had weakened India’s self-reliance and made the country more dependent on foreign capital and influence.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Opposition

Sitaram Yechury’s opposition to Congress was deeply intertwined with both ideological convictions and key historical events. From his involvement in resisting the Emergency to his role in forcing Indira Gandhi’s resignation as Chancellor of JNU, Yechury’s political journey was shaped by a steadfast commitment to defending democratic values and Marxist principles. His criticism of Congress’s economic and foreign policies reflected his belief that the party had drifted away from its socialist roots and had embraced neoliberalism at the expense of India’s working class and marginalized communities.

Yechury’s ability to balance ideological opposition with political pragmatism was a defining feature of his leadership. While he remained critical of Congress’s policies, he recognized the importance of forming alliances to achieve larger political goals, such as countering the BJP’s rise. His political legacy will be remembered not only for his opposition to Congress but also for his ability to navigate the complex and shifting dynamics of Indian politics.