Modi govt neither fascist nor neo-fascist: CPM in note, triggers row

Kozhikode: An explanatory note from CPM to its state units stating that the Narendra Modi govt at the Centre cannot be labelled as a fascist or neo-fascist regime has triggered a controversy, with opposition Congress and even LDF ally CPI opposing it.
The CPM note sought to explain the term "neo-fascist" in the draft political resolution for the 24th party congress, to be held in April. "We are not saying that the Modi govt is a fascist or neo-fascist government. Nor are we characterising the Indian State as a neo-fascist state. What we are pinpointing is that after 10 years of continuous rule by the BJP, which is the political wing of the RSS, there was a consolidation of political power in the hands of BJP-RSS, and this is resulting in the manifestation of neo-fascist characteristics," it said.
The word "characteristics" means features or trends, but they have not developed into a neo-fascist govt and political set-up. So the political resolution is talking about the danger of Hindutva-corporate authoritarianism going towards neo-fascism if the BJP-RSS are not fought back and halted, it said.
CPM had all along taken a nuanced stand with its previous political resolutions stating that the authoritarian and Hindutva communal attacks display "emerging fascist trends" (22nd party congress) and that the Modi govt is carrying out the "fascist agenda of the RSS" (23rd party congress).
It has brought to the fore the differences within the Left front, with CPI saying that CPM would have to correct its stand. "The fascist ideology teaches how religion and faith can be used for political gains and the BJP govt is implementing these in practice. CPM cadres who are showing the haste to say that such a party is not fascist, will have to correct themselves," CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said.
Opposition leader V D Satheesan said the CPM assessment was part of its decision to align with Modi and to work in subservience to the Sangh Parivar. He told reporters in Malappuram that the "CPM discovery" was not a surprise and it exposed its secret relationship with the BJP for years. "The CPM in Kerala has always compromised with fascism and the Sangh Parivar. The new document is an attempt to somehow hold on to it and survive," he said, adding that the politburo members from Kerala led the attempts to create such a document.
CPM central committee member A K Balan said the party had never assessed the Modi govt as a fascist one in its original form. "We are of the opinion that the Modi govt has some fascist traits and if not checked, it could manifest as a fascist one. But it would be too early to brand it as a fascist govt," he said.
Terming the controversy as misplaced, he said it would be wrong to say that CPM changed its opinion ahead of the upcoming party congress. "The opposition in Kerala calls the Pinarayi Vijayan govt also a fascist govt. That doesn't mean the LDF govt is fascist," he said.
Balan said the draft resolution was a public document and it was part of CPM efforts to bring more clarity on neo-fascism. On Viswam's response, Balan said CPM and CPI were two different political parties and they were bound to have different opinions. "Let there be discussions. Let us know what people think about fascism. If anybody has evidence to prove that fascism has already arrived, let them place it on the table," he said.
(with inputs from Thiruvananthapuram bureau)