The correct option is 1964; West Bengal, Kerala, and Tripura.
Explanation
The Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI(M), is a major National Party in India that emerged following an ideological split within the undivided Communist Party of India (CPI).
Detailed Analysis:
- Founding Year: The CPI(M) was founded in 1964. The split within the CPI was driven by ideological differences regarding the Sino-Indian war and the rift between the Soviet Union and China. The faction that broke away formed the CPI(M).
- Support Base: The party has historically maintained a strong mass base among factory workers, farmers, agricultural labourers, and the intelligentsia. Its political influence is primarily concentrated in the states of West Bengal, Kerala, and Tripura.
- Electoral History:
- In West Bengal, the CPI(M)-led Left Front governed for 34 consecutive years (1977-2011).
- In Kerala, the party leads the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and frequently alternates power with the rival coalition.
- In Tripura, the party held power for a significant period until 2018.
- Incorrect Options:
- 1925; West Bengal, Kerala, and Punjab: 1925 is generally cited as the founding year of the original, undivided Communist Party of India (CPI).
- 1964; Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh: While the year 1964 is correct, the combination of states excludes West Bengal and Tripura, which are core strongholds.
- 1951; West Bengal, Tripura, and Bihar: 1951 is incorrect, and the state combination is not the primary concentration.
Key Takeaway:
The CPI(M) was established in 1964 following a split from the CPI, and its political strongholds are West Bengal, Kerala, and Tripura.