History of Communist Party of India (CPI)

The Communist Party of India (CPI) was formed on December 26, 1925, in Kanpur.

The CPI initially fought against British colonialism and the caste system.

CPI organised peasant revolts and guerrilla warfare against feudal lords in Telangana (1946-1951).

The CPI was a significant opposition party in India during 1950s-60s.

CPI holds 4 cabinet positions and a deputy speaker's role in the Kerala Government.

CPI currently has 2 members in Lok Sabha and 2 members in Rajya Sabha.

CPI has representation in four states(Kerala, Tamil Nadu,etc.) and one state council, currently.

The British administration banned the CPI and related organizations in 1934, making membership illegal.

The Communist Party of India (CPI) joined the Congress Socialist Party (CSP) and accepted their demand for a Constituent Assembly, despite previously opposing it.

The CPI established its first branch in Kerala on December 31, 1939, after a meeting held in Pinarayi.

The CPI and CSP collaborated in the 1930s, with CPI members joining the CSP's National Executive Committee and leadership roles.

A 1940 declaration by the CPI calling for a general strike, no-tax and no-rent policies, and an armed revolutionary uprising.

The Congress Socialist Party expelled all communists from their organization in 1940.

The CPI was legalized in July 1942 due to Britain and the Soviet Union becoming allies against Nazi Germany.

The Communist Party of India (CPI) considers 1925 as their founding year.

The CPI contested 108 out of 1585 seats in the 1946 Provincial Assembly elections, securing eight victories.

The CPI opposed the partition of India and boycotted the Independence Day celebrations in 1947.

A meeting in Tashkent, in 1920, where key figures like M.N. Roy gathered to form the communist movement in India.

In 1948, the CPI adopted a program advocating for a 'Democratic Revolution', which included a focus on fighting caste injustice.

A significant conspiracy trial targeting the communist movement in India in the 1920s-30s.

The CPI organized armed struggles against local rulers in Tripura, Telangana, and Kerala, most notably the Telangana Rebellion.

A key trial in India that implicated prominent communists in alleged plans to overthrow the British government.

The CPI led an armed uprising against the Nizam of Hyderabad in Telangana, creating a people's army and controlling a large area.

The Communist Party of India was formally formed in 1925 at a conference.

A communist philosophy advocating for an independent communist movement in India, avoiding subordination to foreign organizations.

Post-independence, the CPI achieved success in Bihar, leading land reform movements and trade union activities.

In the early 1950s, new communist leaders like Homi F.Daji, Guru Radha Kishan, and H.L.Parwana emerged, connecting with the masses and working class.

The Communist International, a global communist organization.

In 1952, the CPI became the first leading opposition party in the 1st Lok Sabha, while the Indian National Congress held power.

The Comintern's policy for communist movements in colonial countries to oppose nationalist leaders and use economic conflicts.

The Communist Party was banned from participating in the 1952 Travancore-Cochin Legislative Assembly election.

Organizations used by communists to gain support from workers and peasants, but the organization was denounced later.

A group of left-wing Indian elements formed this socialist party in India.

CPI-led organization in Calcutta, promoting anti imperialism through militant activities.

Reorganized CPI in 1933, setting up a central committee within the party.

A shift in Comintern policy, encouraging common action between communists and other political groups.

CPI officially recognised as part of the Comintern.

The Communist Party of India (CPI) won the 1957 state elections in Kerala, becoming the first opposition party to control an Indian state.

At a 1957 international meeting of Communist parties in Moscow, the Chinese Communist Party criticized the CPI for forming a government in Kerala.

The CPI led a movement in the 1950s to liberate Dadra & Nagar Haveli from Portuguese rule using armed operations.

The CPI played a key role in the Goa Satyagraha of 1955-1956, organizing mass protests against Portuguese rule and sending activists to Goa.

Ideological differences within the CPI led to a split in 1964, resulting in the formation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

The CPI formed a coalition government in Kerala with the Congress party between 1970-1977, known as the United Front.

The CPI-led United Front government in Kerala continued during the Emergency period (1975-1977), which was marked by severe repression of political opponents.

The CPI strongly opposed the Khalistan movement in Punjab during the 1980s, and many of their leaders were victims of violence by Sikh extremists.