SHIMLA: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) concluded its three-day state conference in Shimla’s Kalibari Hall, forming a 32-member state committee and electing Sanjay Chauhan as the new state secretary.

 Despite having no MLA in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, CPIM leaders are promising to spearhead people-centric movements and present themselves as an alternative to Congress and BJP in the state.

The conference saw participation from top leaders, including Subhashini Ali, Tapan Sen, and A. Vijay Raghavan, who underscored the party’s commitment to tackling pressing issues faced by workers, farmers, students, women, and marginalized communities.

But the larger question remains—can CPIM carve out a space in a state where the political battlefield is dominated by Congress and BJP?

Leadership Amid Challenges

The new committee, including  Dr. Onkar Shad, Rakesh Singha, Dr. Kashmir Thakur, Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar, and Kushal Bhardwaj, has pledged to focus on grassroots issues.

The party has also set up a three-member Control Commission chaired by Jagmohan Thakur.

Addressing the gathering, CPIM new general secrteary Sanjay Chauhan, who has been a former Shimla Mayor criticized both BJP at the Centre and Congress in the state, accusing them of implementing anti-people neoliberal policies.

 

“Under Modi’s leadership, India has become a tale of two countries—one where the rich thrive and another where the poor suffer,” he said.

Promises of a People’s Movement

Chauhan announced CPIM’s plans to launch mass movements on public issues, ranging from unemployment and inflation to labor rights and communal harmony.

He targeted the BJP government’s labor reforms, which replaced 44 labour laws with four labor codes, calling them “anti-worker.”

He further criticized the Himachal Congress government for burdening the public with economic policies like installing smart meters.

“These policies are no different from the BJP’s. Both parties are pushing people into deeper financial distress,” Chauhan said.

Constitutional Attacks and Communal Politics

Chauhan accused the BJP and RSS of attempting to dismantle the constitutional framework over the past decade.

“The Modi government’s policies have deepened the divide between the rich and poor. While billionaires grow in number, hunger and poverty have escalated. India’s ranking in the Global Hunger Index and Human Development Index has nosedived,” he said.

He also blamed RSS-backed organizations for disturbing communal harmony in Shimla, alleging tacit support from Congress leaders. “This exposes both parties, leaving CPIM as the only genuine alternative for the people,” he claimed.

Reality Check: Can CPIM Be an Alternative?

While the CPIM’s rhetoric against the establishment is sharp, its practical influence in Himachal remains negligible.

Without representation in the Assembly, the party’s ability to impact policy or mobilize large-scale support  will be a Himalayan task.

Moreover, in a state where politics revolves around the BJP and Congress, CPIM faces an uphill battle in convincing voters of its relevance.

The Road Ahead

Despite its challenges, the CPIM is banking on public disenchantment with the two dominant parties.

Whether the party’s new leadership can translate its promises into actionable change remains uncertain, but the narrative they are pushing—of being a pro-people alternative—appear as of now too difficult to resonate  with the people.

The coming months will test CPIM’s ability to move beyond conference halls and connect with the ground realities of Himachal’s electorate.