In a move that has sent waves of laughter and snide remarks rippling across the digital world, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM’s decision to shift the color palette of its social media display picture has not gone unnoticed.

The Dawn of a New Hue

The new display picture, set against a backdrop of blue skies and white clouds, features a vibrant yellow hammer-and-sickle. This unexpected choice of colors has evoked the palette often associated with Trinamool Congress’ chief and CPM’s rival, Mamata Banerjee, sparking a whirlwind of online banter and satire. Comments and trolls sprang forth, likening the new image to Banerjee’s iconic color choice—an ironic twist for the CPM faithful.

According to Times of India, social media users couldn’t help but notice the absense of any trace of red. With CPM Bengal’s Instagram presence boasting over 81,300 followers and 13 active comments, and Facebook engaging 4,67,000 followers with 1,100 comments, the color change struck a chord.

The Irony of Red

Once a bastion of strength from 1977 to 2011, CPM’s political dominance has waned, with diminishing voter percentages hitting a low of 5.7% in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The party’s historic red flag with its hammer and sickle has become emblematic of their revolutionary roots. Echoing the colors of the sky, though, might be a new strategy to capture attention, albeit unwittingly.

Defending the Decision

Senior party figures have stepped forth to defuse the humorous ruckus. Sujan Chakraborty, a central committee member, brushed off the controversy as a mere superficial change, emphasizing the unchanged core principles of the CPM.

Meanwhile, Satarup Ghosh, CPM state committee member, was more candid. In his view, the blue and white motif doesn’t belong solely to any political affinity. The new display picture being shared across social and political campaigners, regardless of party allegiance, marks a success of its own.

Historical Echoes and Rivals

This display picture shift brings to mind historical references, reminding some of the Jacobins’ adoption of the red flag during the French Revolution—a symbol of unwavering sacrifice and revolutionary calls. Revisiting this historical identity in a modern guise has stirred conversations among political commentators and casual observers alike.

Social Media Reaction

Netizen comments highlight the humor: Soumik Das from Madhyamgram, echoing a Bangla song, remarked on slipping away from red allegiances, while another highlighted its visual alignment with ‘Didi’s’ cherished hues bringing a culinary reference to fish fry and mutton kasa.

In a world dominated by rapid change and satire, social platforms can transform a simple color change into a mouthpiece for public sentiment, a testament to the intertwining of politics and technology.

In this age of digital activism and meme culture, CPM’s inadvertent foray into color politics has become a reflection of evolving strategies, presentation, and humor. Whether this leads to broader trend shifts is yet to be seen.