India, April 7 -- The change of guard in the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) announced on Sunday comes at a critical juncture for the party, and the larger politics it represents. The leadership question had assumed urgency after the passing of Sitaram Yechury - general secretary of the party at the time - in September last year. Former general secretary Prakash Karat assumed the mantle in the interim, but given the age criterion for Politburo membership - CPM's decision-making body - he, along with other senior leaders (Brinda Karat, Manik Sarkar, among others), had already been counted out of the leadership search.

On Sunday, former Kerala minister and long-time Politburo member, MA Baby was named as the general secretary. Eight...