MA Baby To Be CPI(M) General Secretary
Party’s Politburo member and senior Kerala leader MA Baby will be the general secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI (M). Reports said the recommendation to appoint Baby as the general secretary was approved by the Politburo. He is the second Malayali from the Kerala unit to reach this position after EMS Namboodiripad. Politburo coordinator Prakash Karat proposed Baby’s name. He explained that Baby was being nominated considering his seniority in the PB as well.
Baby, born on April 5, 1954, in Kollam, Kerala, has played a significant role in Kerala’s political history, particularly in the fields of education and cultural development.
Baby’s early education took place at Prakkulam Lower Primary School and Prakkulam NSS High School. His engagement with politics began during his high school years, leading him to pursue higher studies at Sree Narayana College in Kollam, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. His active participation in student politics during this period laid the foundation for his future political career.
Throughout his political journey, Baby has held several key positions within the CPI(M). He has been actively involved in the Students Federation of India and the Democratic Youth Federation of India, reflecting his commitment to youth and student affairs. In 2015, he was elected as a member of the CPI(M) Politburo, underscoring his prominence within the party’s national framework.
Baby’s legislative career includes multiple terms as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Kerala. Notably, he served as the Minister of Education from 2006 to 2011, during which he implemented policies aimed at enhancing the state’s educational standards. His tenure is remembered for efforts to improve infrastructure and accessibility in schools across Kerala.
In the 2011 assembly elections, Baby was elected from the Kundara constituency, defeating Adv. P. Jermias of the Congress Party. However, his political journey also saw challenges; in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he contested from the Kollam constituency but was unsuccessful.
Beyond his ministerial roles, Baby has been a vocal advocate for introspection and reform within the CPI(M). In July 2024, he emphasized the necessity for the party to engage more deeply with public concerns and to be receptive to criticism. He highlighted the importance of acknowledging mistakes and implementing convincing corrections to regain public trust. This call for self-criticism was seen as a response to the party’s declining popularity and representation in the Parliament.
In December 2024, during the CPI(M) district conference in Thiruvananthapuram, Baby addressed organisational challenges within the party. He pointed out the weakening of the party’s organisational strength and the rise of communal forces in the region. His remarks underscored the need for the party to address internal issues and to be vigilant against external threats to its influence.
Baby’s personal life is rooted in his family in Kollam. He is married to Betty Louis, who serves as a Production Controller at Kairali TV. The couple has a son, reflecting a family life intertwined with media and public service.
The position of party general secretary was lying vacant since the death of Sitaram Yechury. Apart from Baby, names of Ashok Dhawale and Mohammed Saleem were in contention for the post.
