When the Second World War broke out the Indian communists under advice from the leaders, continued their United Front Policy against all types of Imperialism. Rather the communists won the popularity than the Indian national congress because of the latter`s initial indecision and the pro- British attitude of the leaders like Gandhiji.
However the Indian Communists found them in a critical position when in June 1941, Hitler attacked the Soviet Union the home of Socialism. The communists in India decided to turn about and relabeled the war as a "people`s war" and announced full support for the Allied Russians War effort. The Government of India rewarded the CPI, by declaring it a legal organization in 1942. The Communists extended alls possible support and even acted as the British spies in suppressing the popular revolt in 1942. This sudden shift of the communist policy evoked the strong condemnation in the nationalist circles and clearly demonstrated that the CPI`s policy decisions were s dictated by outside and international opportunists.