The story of India's Left parties reflects a dramatic political rise and a steep decline over several decades, marked by major electoral victories, long periods of rule, and recent setbacks.

Going back to 1996, CPI(M) leader Jyoti Basu had already completed 20 years as West Bengal chief minister and was seen as a key figure in national politics. He was even considered for the post of Prime Minister under the United Front arrangement. Although Basu agreed to take up the role, the party's Politburo overruled the decision, which he later described as a "historic blunder".

In 2008, the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government faced a confidence vote after the Left Front withdrew support over the Indo-US nuclear deal. At that time, the Left had significant parliamentary strength with nearly 60 MPs and was in power in three states - West Bengal, Kerala, and Tripura.

However, over the next two decades, the political influence of Communist parties steadily declined across India, as voter preferences shifted and rival parties expanded their base.

The Left's rise had been a defining feature of Indian politics. In the first general elections of 1951-52, the Communist Party of India emerged as the strongest Opposition force in the Lok Sabha. In 1957, the Left made history by forming the world's first democratically elected Communist government in Kerala.

In 1977, CPI(M) came to power in West Bengal, beginning an uninterrupted rule that lasted over three decades. Jyoti Basu served as chief minister for more than 23 years, followed by Buddhadeb Bhattacharya in 2000. The Left continued ruling the state until 2011.

Kerala remained another key stronghold where the Left alternated power, while Tripura became a long-standing bastion, with CPI(M) governing the state for years under leaders such as Dasarath Deb and Manik Sarkar.