Introduction:

In recent decades, some prominent insurgencies, including those in Sri Lanka, Nepal, El Salvador, and parts of India, have witnessed a significant shift from revolutionary armed struggle to political engagement within the democratic framework.

This marks a transformative change in the strategies of left-wing revolutionary groups, traditionally rooted in ideologies like Marxism-Leninism and Maoism. Historically, such movements viewed the state as a tool of capitalist oppression, aiming to dismantle capitalist structures through force.

However, the increasing realization of the practical challenges of armed struggle has led to an adaptation of these groups, seeking power through peaceful democratic means, primarily through parliamentary politics.

1. Historical Context:
   • Left-wing insurgencies historically advocated for the overthrow of capitalist states through armed struggle, based on the belief that the state is inherently biased toward elite interests and cannot be reformed.
   • The theory of protracted people’s war, where revolutionary groups rely on prolonged insurgency, was widely adopted by groups in regions such as El Salvador, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

2. Shift Toward Political Participation:
   • Over time, prolonged insurgencies have revealed several harsh realities: the difficulty in maintaining public support, the need for extensive resources, and the high toll of violence, especially on civilian populations.
   • This shift in strategy, as seen in Sri Lanka with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Nepal’s Maoists, and El Salvador’s FMLN, reflects a pragmatic adjustment to political realities. These groups recognized that achieving social and economic justice through democratic processes was more feasible than continued armed struggle.
   • Entry into parliamentary politics allowed insurgent groups to appeal to broader voter bases, capture power without the cost of prolonged insurgency, and maintain their ideological goals within a reformed political framework.

3. Factors Driving the Shift:
   • Pragmatism Over Revolution: Insurgents began to recognize that sustaining violent conflict for political change is increasingly unsustainable, especially as the social and economic costs of war mounted.
   • Changing Political Realities: Governments that initially opposed insurgent movements were compelled to engage in peace processes, acknowledging the legitimacy of insurgent groups as political actors. This was evident in the peace accords signed by the FMLN in El Salvador and the Maoist party in Nepal.
   • Integration into Democratic Frameworks: Integrating insurgent groups into the political process allowed for broader participation and the potential for governance reforms. These movements, once violent, now had a platform to push for social justice through democratic means.

4. Challenges of Parliamentary Transition:
   • Groups making this transition often face skepticism from the public, which remembers their violent past. They must work to build credibility within democratic institutions.
   • Ideological debates also emerge: are these movements compromising their revolutionary ideals for political power, or is this a new phase of ideological struggle?

5. Potential Benefits:
   • The inclusion of former insurgents in parliamentary politics can strengthen the legitimacy of democratic processes, as they bring in large support bases, including marginalized communities.
   • This can create a more inclusive and participatory political environment, leading to greater trust in democratic institutions.

Conclusion:

The transition from armed insurrection to parliamentary politics among left-wing insurgencies represents a dynamic shift in the strategies of revolutionary movements.

It signals an adaptation to contemporary political realities, where social justice and political change can be pursued through democratic participation rather than violence.

While this shift may raise questions about ideological purity, it ultimately strengthens democratic institutions by addressing the systemic issues that gave rise to these insurgencies in the first place. The movement towards parliamentary engagement represents a new form of revolutionary struggle—one rooted in reform rather than radical upheaval.