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Here's why Sitaram Yechury is the best bet for turning CPI(M) around

The path is arduous, but CPI(M) have bet on their most credible leader to turn things around for the party.

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The writing was always on the wall. CPI(M) which had taken a sharp conservative turn under the leadership of Prakash Karat, has decided to finally make a course correction. The mantle of leadership has been passed to the pragmatic Sitaram Yechury, at a time when the Left party is facing a historic low in terms of relevance in India's electoral politics. Veteran CPM leader VS Achuthanandan's public support for Yechury virtually sealed the fate of Ramachandran Pillai​, who was also an aspirant for the top post. 

In the last day of the party Congress, Yechury was unanimously declared as the General Secretary of CPI(M). 

Here are the reasons why this St Stephens and JNU alumnus is the right person to champion the cause of the fledging Left movement in the country. 

Pragmatic attitude

Unlike his predecessor Karat, Yechury is known to be much more of a pragmatic. Karat was a hardline Leftist leader for whom purity of ideology was often greater than political goal. But real politick is often different from theology and Yechury understands this completely. There are many leaders within the party who believe Karat's decision to pull away from UPA 1 due to the Indo-US nuclear deal started the slide in fortune of the red brigade. Not only did it leave out CPI(M) from the power axis, it gave a chance to TMC to tie up with Congress in Bengal. Karat however believed that the red line was breached by Congress and hence pulling out was the only option. Under Yechury though, there is unlikely to be such rash decisions based solely on 'ideological concerns'. 

Great unifying force

It is no secret that CPI(M) was completely divided into separate factions during Karat's rule. The Bengal faction was especially against his policies. Yechury on the other hand enjoys confidence of the Bengal line and also support from sections of the Kerala brigade. People who may have been backing the candidacy of Pillai are also likely to fall in line now. At a time when the party is fighting to save its existence in several states, it surely can't afford internal dissent. Yechury may just prove to be a perfect glue to plug differences. 

Master strategist

Yechury has learnt his trade of political manoeuvring from the late Harkishan Singh Surjeet. A member of Rajya Sabha for a very long time, Yechury has friends across the political spectrum. At a time when the Narendra Modi government has just started showing some frailty, it is imperative for the Left to coordinate with like minded forces to put pressure on the ruling regime. Yechury has already indicated his intention of reaching out to other forces and a merger with CPI may also be fast-tracked. Many believe if the situation does arise, Yechury will also not shirk away from opening a chain of communication with the Congress, something which Prakash Karat never really tried after 2008. 

Media-friendly

Like it or not, the 21st century is the age of the media. Yechury is a media-friendly person always willing to give a quote on relevant matters. He is likely to get positive press, especially in his early days. Currently, CPI(M) has ceded the Left liberal voice in the media to AAP. Under Sitaram Yechury's leadership, some parity may be restored. 

Not merely Delhi- centric

Unlike other ideologues, Yechury is not merely a Delhi-centric leader. He has tried to build the organisation in different parts of the country earlier as well, a process likely to be expedited now. He is also fluent in several regional languages and has reached out to workers and cadres at the grassroots. 

Having said all this, Yechury has an uphill task to change the turn of the tide. The party is out of power in both the traditional power centre of Kerala and West Bengal. In both the states, the Left have a lot of catching up to do. Another challenge will be to revive the party's future in North India. The path is arduous, but CPI(M) have bet on their most credible leader to turn things around for the party. 

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