Difference between Communist Party of India-Marxist and Communist Party of India

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) are two separate political parties in India. Although both parties have their roots in the Communist movement, they have distinct ideologies and approaches to politics.

Ideological Differences:
1. Marxism-Leninism: CPI-M follows the ideology of Marxism-Leninism, which emphasizes the need for a vanguard party to lead the revolution and establish a proletarian dictatorship. On the other hand, CPI adheres to a more flexible approach, combining Marxism-Leninism with Indian context and democratic principles.

2. Class Struggle: While both parties prioritize the interests of the working class, the CPI-M places a greater emphasis on class struggle and revolution as the means to achieve social change. The CPI, on the other hand, believes in a broader coalition of progressive forces to address the issues of the working class.

3. Electoral Politics: The CPI-M actively participates in electoral politics and has a strong presence in several state governments. They believe in utilizing the parliamentary system as a platform to pursue their revolutionary goals. The CPI also engages in electoral politics but has been relatively less successful in gaining power at the state level.

Organizational Differences:
1. Party Structure: The CPI-M has a highly centralized and disciplined party structure, following the principles of democratic centralism. It has a strong party apparatus and a hierarchical decision-making process. The CPI, on the other hand, has a more decentralized structure with greater autonomy given to its state units.

2. International Relations: CPI-M maintains closer ties with international communist movements and has been affiliated with the Communist International and later the Socialist International. CPI, while maintaining some international affiliations, has focused more on building relations with non-communist parties and movements.

3. Approach to Social Movements: CPI-M actively engages in various social movements, such as farmers' movements, trade unions, and student organizations. They consider these movements as a crucial part of the revolutionary struggle. The CPI also participates in social movements but has been relatively less involved compared to CPI-M.

Conclusion:
In summary, the CPI-M and CPI may have originated from the same Communist movement, but they have diverged in terms of ideology, approach to politics, and organizational structure. While the CPI-M follows a more orthodox Marxist-Leninist ideology and actively engages in electoral politics, the CPI has a more flexible approach and focuses on building broader alliances. Understanding these differences is essential to comprehend the nuances of the Indian Communist movement.