Teamwork vs. Centralised Power: MA Baby’s Football Remarks Spark Internal Debate

At a Central Committee gathering in New Delhi on July 13, CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby used the metaphor of football to address a contentious issue inside the party. He reminded colleagues that football is defined by its team‑oriented nature, where discipline, coordination and respect for the rulebook are non‑negotiable. Even the most gifted player cannot secure a win alone; victory is the product of collective trust, a shared purpose and synchronized effort. Baby, who has previously travelled to Kolkata to watch superstar Lionel Messi, highlighted that the party must operate on the same principle of collective action rather than relying on individual charisma. The timing of his remarks aligns with a broader conversation among senior leaders about whether the CPI(M) is moving away from its historic emphasis on collective decision‑making. Several members pointed to electoral setbacks as evidence of a leadership style that is perceived as rigid, disconnected from cadre concerns and excessively centralized. By invoking the well‑known “bend it like Beckham” saying, Baby emphasized that true mastery involves working within the rules, not redefining them for a single individual. The debate sparked by his comments could determine if the party re‑asserts its foundational collective values or continues to adapt its internal rules to accommodate powerful personalities.