The crisis faced by left-wing movements in India during the neoliberal era has already been reflected at several levels. Communal forces were able to divert the difficulties people faced under this economic framework into a politics of anger against others and reap rich dividends in this regard. The collapse experienced in West Bengal and Tripura after long periods of continuous rule also happened under such circumstances. Continuing this trend, the CPI(M) suffered a major setback in the recent assembly elections in Kerala.

The decade-long Pinarayi Vijayan government was considered a successful alternative to neoliberal policies embraced by other state governments in India. Despite leading development initiatives effectively, implementing widespread welfare measures, and receiving broad praise for running a completely corruption-free administration, the party's biggest setback in its history in this election remained a major riddle. Against this backdrop, an extended State Committee meeting was convened to study the issue in depth, along with addressing and rectifying the party's weaknesses in the state.

In this context, before preparing the review, the State Committee decided to seek opinions from various lower committees and organisational units. The party prepared the review report by examining these discussions and incorporating the Central Committee's directions. In addition, the party gathered public opinion through various media. 

General Secretary M A Baby inaugurated the meeting. The review was placed by the Polit Bureau member and secretary of the State Committee M V Govindan. The review report prepared by the Central Committee and the State Committee specifically highlighted shortcomings across various organisational bodies; failures occurred at the organisational, ideological, political, and administrative levels. The report aims to acknowledge these lapses and correct them, and delegates at the meeting held serious discussions on this.

The Congress party, which has faced continuous setbacks in various states across India, has secured repeated victories in elections at various levels in Kerala — a matter that warrants detailed study. The conference evaluated this issue in depth. The meeting evaluated that opportunistic alliances with communal forces, with the help of massive media support, paved the way for such a situation. We must understand these circumstances and mount a defence.

Another critical matter the conference discussed was the BJP's electoral gains in Kerala. Although they were unable to achieve a large increase in overall vote percentage, it is concerning that they made significant strides in constituencies where Hindutva politics has taken root and captured three Assembly seats.

The conference observed that more Hindu Caste sections are aligning with a generic Hindu identity, and even certain groups that traditionally stood with us falling prey to such identity politics, poses a grave threat to Kerala's existence as a secular society. Furthermore, the conference assessed that, in Kerala, where minorities constitute nearly half the population, this will pave the way for large-scale communal polarisation. The conference noted that beyond conventional party politics, the Sangh Parivar can win over people through micro-level politics, and these moves must be countered with micro-level strategies.

The UDF government, which came to power by consolidating the support of minority communities in various malicious ways, has been making major compromises with Sangh Parivar policies since assuming office. The Congress government is making massive concessions to the Sangh Parivar, including in the education sector, leading to the complete saffronization of higher education. Thus, the conference concluded that the CPI(M) in Kerala faces challenges posed by the large-scale consolidation of communal forces and right-wing parties. The conference formulated comprehensive programs to overcome this situation.

The vote figures we received in the state assembly elections clearly indicate that our influence is declining in Kerala. In 1957, when our party contested the election alone, we secured 35.28 per cent of the vote. In the 1960 election, it rose to 39.14 per cent. In the election held after the party split in 1965, we secured 31.84 per cent of the vote. We received the highest percentage in the assembly election in 1980 (50.66 per cent). Compared with the votes received now, this election recorded the lowest vote share for us as a front, after 31.84 per cent in 1965 and 35.07 per cent in 1970.

The conference concluded that continuous power significantly weakens the party's class and mass organisations. The inability to uphold the slogan of "governance and struggle" is diluting these organisations. A similar situation had previously occurred in West Bengal and Tripura.

Kerala society is undergoing large-scale transformations. Major changes in production methods and employment have altered the class structure. Accordingly, the party needs significant reforms in its functioning.

While formulating future programmes, we must be able to evaluate the changes in society. The state is experiencing large-scale growth in middle-class segments as part of social development. Interventions are being made to foster right-wing ideas among these segments. Interventions are also being made to cultivate this consciousness into a general public consensus.

Nearly 30 per cent of the population in Kerala is facing a relatively backward condition. Meanwhile, the lives of about 20 per cent of the people are improving. The remaining 50 per cent and their efforts to avoid falling to lower levels — and to attain greater upward mobility — have also become crucial factors influencing the socio-political arena.

The groups being left behind consist predominantly of Dalit and backward communities. Exploiting this situation, interventions are also being made from various corners to foster identity politics perspectives. Communal forces are also intervening strongly in this sphere. Recognising this and intervening accordingly is extremely crucial.

Kerala was traditionally a region where Leftist ideologies took deep root. Unlike anywhere else in India, it was a place where large-scale social reform movements were vibrant at the grassroots. The Left in Kerala grew out of those movements. However, this Leftist stream is now facing major challenges.

A situation is developing where Left-leaning Kerala is being led towards a right-wing mindset. Recognising this and intervening accordingly is crucial.

Over half of Kerala's population belongs to the middle class. They have benefited from Kerala’s social development. This segment has absorbed globalisation, the economic changes created by neoliberal capital expansion, and a global consciousness. We must understand the reasons behind the formation of right-wing ideas among this segment and be able to intervene.

Changes in religious life have also contributed to the right-wing shift. Modern Kerala emerged by fostering social life through religious harmony. This has changed, and religious alienation is on the rise. This is due to the resurgence of rituals and beliefs that renaissance movements had eliminated.

The family unit was not socialised in tune with changes in broader society. It turned into an apolitical private sphere. This is why individualism and consumerism gained strength in Kerala.

As part of the right-wing shift in the media sector, systematic campaigns are waged against the Left; alongside this, a stance supporting right-wing life values is shaping up. Serious politics is missing; instead, it focuses solely on controversies and mere information. Through this approach, right-wing ideas manage to take root.

The meeting called for dialogue with the new era and the world. Propaganda methods and practices need to be connected to the tastes of the new generation. Only through that can the new generation be brought to political consciousness.

As for the Left, alongside the Left movements, there are numerous small organisations, local collectives, environmental groups, and women's movements. The Party needs to engage in dialogue with such movements while maintaining its ideological positions. We should take serious steps to unite the sections that have drifted away for various reasons.

 The meeting planned specific measures to intervene against the right-wing shift—which is a product in itself—and its oversimplification. Serious intervention of this nature is necessary. Through that, we must reclaim Kerala's Left hegemony.

The conference decided to strongly resist the attempts to hunt down Pinarayi Vijayan using central agencies.

The meeting identified that the primary weakness in the organisational sphere is the failure to implement decisions effectively. To address this, higher committees must conduct continuous reviews. Assign responsibilities as individual duties and ensure continuous oversight and execution.

To implement the extended State Committee’s decisions, it was decided to organise a similar two-day meeting at the district level with the participation of district committee members, area secretaries, persons in charge of class-mass organisations, and comrades in new media and study activities. To review whether the Extended State Committee's decisions are being implemented, the Area Committee must meet once every 6 months with the participation of State Committee members.

Extensive programmes must be formulated to propagate the party’s core ideological stand that revolution is possible and that socialism will be established and to convey these concepts to the masses. Party educational activities must be restructured on a theoretical basis to enable understanding of the class structure and other aspects of the region.

The conference concluded with plans to launch numerous programmes to strengthen the party. The party secretariat and state committee were reorganised. More youngsters are included in the state committee. Hundreds of thousands of people attended the massive rally held at the Kozhikode beach in connection with the event. M A Baby inaugurated the public meeting. Members of the Polit Bureau Pinarayi Vijayan, M V Govindan, A Vijayaraghavan and Central Committee member K K Shailaja addressed the massive gathering. It turned out to be a resounding demonstration of the CPI(M)'s strength in Kerala.