Hyderabad: The Telangana unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday sharply questioned the political and ideological relevance of the Communist Party of India’s (CPI) proposed centenary celebrations in Khammam, describing the event as a symbolic exercise disconnected from the political and social realities of modern India.
Reacting to the event organized at Khammam in Telangana, BJP State Chief Spokesperson N.V. Subash said the it appears to be driven more by political theatrics than by any meaningful public resonance. He pointed out that both the CPI and the Congress-led state government under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy are facing a steady erosion of influence, not only in Telangana but across the national political landscape.
Subash drew a direct comparison with the recent large-scale public outreach and organizational activities of nationalist institutions, noting that public engagement patterns across the country indicate a clear shift in political and ideological preferences. “At a time when the world is driven by innovation, entrepreneurship, and democratic accountability, the larger question is whether rigid, centrally-controlled leftist ideology still holds relevance in a fast-changing, aspirational society like India,” he said.
Citing electoral data, Subash highlighted the declining footprint of Left parties in India’s legislatures. “From once governing entire states such as West Bengal and Tripura for decades, the Left today holds only a marginal presence in Parliament and state assemblies. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the CPI and CPI(M) together secured only a handful of seats in a House of 543 members. This is not a matter of opinion, but a matter of record,” he asserted.
The BJP spokesperson further referred to the diminishing influence of Left-affiliated student organizations in major universities. “Across campuses, student politics has increasingly shifted toward issue-based, development-oriented platforms. Organizations aligned with nationalist and reform-driven agendas have gained ground, reflecting the changing mindset of India’s youth, who are more focused on employment, innovation, and global competitiveness than on ideological dogma rooted in the last century,” Subash said.
He also accused the CPI of historically aligning with Congress-led narratives that, according to him, “prioritized political convenience over national interest.” Subash argued that such alliances had failed to address long-standing challenges such as poverty alleviation, industrial growth, and global integration, which are now central to India’s development discourse.
To underline the contrast in organizational strength, Subash pointed to the extensive grassroots presence of nationalist institutions. “The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for instance, operates tens of thousands of shakhas across the country and engages millions of volunteers in social service, disaster relief, education, and cultural initiatives. In comparison, the combined membership and on-ground presence of Left parties has steadily declined over the years,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Subash maintained that centenary celebrations cannot substitute for public support or policy relevance. “Longevity alone does not define credibility in a democracy. What matters is the ability to connect with the aspirations of the people, especially the youth. The political future of India will be shaped by ideas that promote growth, national unity, and global leadership—not by ideologies that have lost their appeal both nationally and internationally,” he stated.
