The Split of the Communist Party of India: The Birth of CPI and CPI(M)

Introduction

The Communist movement in India has witnessed a complex evolution marked by ideological battles, global influences, and strategic realignments. One of the most defining moments in this journey was the split of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1964, which led to the formation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI(M). This split was not just a result of internal dissent but reflected broader global Communist schisms, particularly the Sino-Soviet split, and domestic political challenges. The ramifications of this division continue to shape Indian left-wing politics even today.

Origins of the Communist Party of India

The Communist Party of India (CPI) was founded in 1925 in Kanpur, during the British colonial era. Inspired by the Russian Revolution of 1917 and Marxist-Leninist ideology, the CPI emerged as a radical alternative to the Indian National Congress. Initially functioning underground, the party gradually built a base among workers, peasants, and intellectuals, and participated in trade union movements, peasant uprisings, and anti-colonial resistance.

Post-independence, the CPI adapted to parliamentary democracy and began contesting elections. Despite internal ideological struggles, it played a crucial role in shaping the labor movement and influencing policy discourse. However, tensions were simmering beneath the surface, especially over the party’s approach toward the Indian state, the Congress party, and global communist powers.

Factors Leading to the Split

The division of the CPI in 1964 was the result of multiple interconnected factors, both international and domestic. These included ideological rifts, geopolitical events, policy disagreements, and leadership disputes.

1. The Sino-Soviet Split

Globally, the communist world had divided into two camps by the late 1950s — the Soviet Union under Nikita Khrushchev, which advocated peaceful coexistence with capitalist countries, and China under Mao Zedong, which criticized this approach as “revisionist.” This Sino-Soviet split had a profound impact on communist parties worldwide, forcing them to choose between Moscow and Beijing.

Within the CPI, this ideological battle took center stage. One faction supported the pro-Soviet line, favoring a gradual, parliamentary path to socialism, while another adopted the pro-Chinese position, emphasizing revolutionary methods and class struggle.

2. The 1962 Indo-China War

The Sino-Indian War of 1962 was a major turning point. When Chinese troops invaded Indian territory, the Indian public united behind Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, but the CPI was deeply divided. The pro-Soviet faction condemned China’s actions and supported India’s defense, while the pro-Chinese faction viewed the war through the lens of global imperialism, blaming both sides and refusing to endorse India’s position outright.

This stance created public outrage, and the CPI was branded by many as anti-national. The Nehru government cracked down on the party, arresting hundreds of leaders. The internal schism widened further as ideological and patriotic loyalties clashed.

3. Approach Toward the Indian National Congress

Another key difference was the CPI’s approach toward the Indian National Congress, the dominant political party. The pro-Soviet faction believed in collaborating with the Congress, seeing it as a progressive, anti-imperialist force that could be gradually steered toward socialism. The pro-Chinese faction, however, viewed the Congress as a bourgeois party aligned with capitalist interests and sought complete political independence from it.

This disagreement shaped their electoral strategies and alliances. The Soviet-aligned group began supporting Congress governments in some states, while the radicals condemned such cooperation.

The Formal Split: 1964

The internal conflict within the CPI reached a boiling point in 1964. At the National Council meeting in April 1964, 32 members walked out in protest against the leadership’s pro-Congress and pro-Soviet line. They later met at Tenali in Andhra Pradesh, where they reaffirmed their commitment to Marxism-Leninism and Maoist thought.

In October 1964, a special convention in Calcutta formally led to the creation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) — CPI(M). Key leaders involved in the new party included E.M.S. Namboodiripad, B.T. Ranadive, Promode Dasgupta, Jyoti Basu, and P. Sundarayya.

The CPI(M) declared that the CPI had abandoned revolutionary principles and aligned itself with the ruling bourgeoisie. In contrast, the CPI accused the CPI(M) of adventurism and ideological deviation.

Aftermath and Diverging Paths

Following the split, the two parties took separate ideological and political paths.

CPI(M)

  • Built a strong presence in West Bengal, Kerala, and Tripura.
  • Adopted a more militant class-based approach, focusing on worker and peasant mobilization.
  • In later decades, especially under Jyoti Basu in West Bengal and E.M.S. Namboodiripad in Kerala, it embraced electoral politics but retained a revolutionary posture.
  • Led long-lasting Left Front governments, notably in West Bengal (1977–2011) and Kerala (various terms).

CPI

  • Continued its pro-Soviet alignment and sought accommodation with centrist parties like the Congress.
  • It supported Indira Gandhi’s Emergency (1975–77), a move that further damaged its credibility.
  • Gradually lost its mass base and electoral relevance, often reduced to a junior partner in alliances.

Legacy of the Split

The CPI-CPI(M) split had profound effects on Indian left politics:

  1. Divided the Left — weakened the overall strength of the communist movement, especially in national politics.
  2. Regional Strongholds — while CPI faded, CPI(M) created durable mass bases in certain states.
  3. Ideological Rigidity — both parties struggled to adapt to the post-Cold War world, neoliberal reforms, and rising identity politics.
  4. Declining Influence — by the 2010s and 2020s, both CPI and CPI(M) had lost much of their electoral clout at the national level, though CPI(M) retained power in Kerala.

Conclusion

The split of the Communist Party of India in 1964 was a result of deep ideological disagreements, international realignments, and domestic political dilemmas. While CPI(M) emerged stronger and more influential, especially in states like West Bengal and Kerala, the overall fragmentation weakened the Indian Left’s ability to present a united challenge to mainstream parties.

Even today, the legacy of that split continues to shape the identity, strategy, and limitations of leftist politics in India. With the rise of new political forces and changing social dynamics, the CPI and CPI(M) face the challenge of reinvention and relevance in a rapidly evolving democracy.

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