THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The policy change of the CPM central leadership in the analysis of fascism and neo-fascism will be discussed at the CPM state conference starting on March 6 in Kollam. The Politburo reiterated that the PM Modi-led government was not fascist or neo-fascist. Many within CPI and CPM ranks consider this move a segue to the stern anti-congress approach previously taken by the Karat faction.

Sitaram Yechury, the former party general secretary, would have squirmed if he were to witness the new politburo decision. Yechury always labelled the Modi government as pro fascist and even made a clarion call for opposition unity. In the last two party congresses, the Karat faction had opposed Yechury's stand to cooperate with the Congress to bring down Modi’s regime.

Once, Yechury even cornered the Karat faction for saying the Modi regime was not as brutal as Hitler to be called fascist. Yechury vehemently questioned this, which soon saw tide favoring him. However, Yechury is not here anymore, while the Kerala faction is undoubtedly on Karat’s side. This is a sign of party national coordinator Karat re-establishing dominance in the party.