Md Salim-Humayun meeting sparks debate within CPI-M

The meeting between CPI-M state secretary Mohammed Salim and Humayun Kabir has triggered political speculation over a possible internal divide within the party, with the issue dominating political circles since Thursday.

While the CPI-M has clarified that Salim’s meeting with Humayun was held as part of a party decision, differing comments by senior leaders have fuelled a debate. The CPI-M central committee member Rabin Deb made remarks that were seen as significant, even as former minister Kanti Ganguly asserted that the party would not forge any alliance with communal forces. Responding to the controversy, Rabin Deb dismissed the speculation, stating that such questions arise only from those who lack clarity about the party’s functioning. “Mohammed Salim is a Politburo member and the state committee secretary of the CPI-M. When Salim makes a statement, which is the highest and final position of the party. What others say or do not say, is irrelevant,” Deb said. He added that anyone with even a basic understanding of how the Communist Party functions would not raise such questions.

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Meanwhile, Kanti Ganguly struck a more nuanced note. “I am still a member of the party and I will abide by whatever decision the party takes,” he said. Ganguly noted that during his interactions with the public, a significant section felt that the Left should contest elections independently rather than enter into alliances. “Winning seats is not the only issue. What matters is the increase in vote share. A comprehensive alliance is very difficult,” he observed, while reiterating that the party’s final decision would be binding on all. The Trinamul Congress, however, seized the opportunity to attack the CPI-M.

Party spokesperson Tanmay Ghosh, in a sarcastic tone, said, “Left politics does not belong exclusively to the CPI-M; there are left-leaning people all over the world. This incident has raised questions about how leftist the CPI-M really is. When their own leaders say they can meet Humayun, it suggests they are willing to abandon ideology for electoral gains.” Ghosh further alleged that in the past, a substantial section of CPI-M votes had shifted towards the BJP, claiming that grassroots-level understandings had already taken place. The developments have added a fresh layer of intrigue to the evolving political equations ahead of the upcoming elections.