“Under the Modi government, public assets have been aggressively privatized, corporate favoritism has increased, ‘One Nation, One Election’ is being pushed, and workers’ rights are being eroded through the new labor code. We must fight back. Trade unions are already planning a general strike against these attacks,” Karat said in his inaugural address.

Touching upon global developments, he warned of the rise of far-right forces worldwide, citing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s re-election bid and the growing influence of right-wing parties in Europe.

“Trump behaves like a 19th-century imperialist—he even laid claims over Greenland, which belongs to Denmark. Alarmingly, our Prime Minister exhibits similar tendencies. Earlier, India consistently supported the Palestinian cause, but the Modi government has now facilitated arms exports to Israel—an unprecedented move that mirrors the foreign policy shifts of far-right regimes,” Karat alleged.

A total of 530 delegates are attending the conference, including 486 representatives from various districts and 44 guests from outside Kerala.

CPM Central Committee member A.K. Balan presided over the event, while reception committee chairperson K.N. Balagopal highlighted Kollam’s historical significance. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with Politburo members Brinda Karat, Subhashini Ali, B.V. Raghavulu, Ashok Dhawale, M.A. Baby, A. Vijayaraghavan, and other senior leaders, were also present.