Historic Victory of Left in Tripura

P B Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) warmly greets the people of Tripura for electing the Left Front to a historic fifth successive term in office. With this reelection, the seventh Left Front Government will be formed in Tripura.

The Left Front has won a sweeping victory getting 50 out of the 60 assembly seats. This is one more than the tally of 49 won in the previous election. This victory is a resounding endorsement of the performance and policies of the Left Front government.

The Polit Bureau congratulates the CPI(M) state committee and the entire Party of Tripura for this splendid victory.

SFI CEC Statement

“People of Tripura give a resounding verdict in favour of the left and the democratic forces”

Central Executive Committee of the Students’ Federation of India salutes the people of Tripura for yet again giving a resounding verdict in favour of the left and democratic forces with left getting 50 seats out of the 60 member assembly, which is 1 more than the last time.
 This victory comes in wake of the vitriolic gang up of all kind of political forces right from the secessionist forces, ex-feudal landlords and rajas; with congress party piggyback riding this opportunist alliance. This victory is testament of the pro-people government model, in the neo-liberal times when governments are busy facilitating profits for the corporate. This victory will also give a strong message to the para-trooped leaders like Rahul Gandhi, who have no connection with the ground realities of the country. Far from the wishes of the likes of Rahul Gandhi, who want to wipe off left from the country, today left is more relevant than ever. At a juncture when the current neo-liberal model is increasing the inequalities and misery, the struggle is for an alternate set of policies and that is why the Tripura victory assumes such significance.

Tamil Nadu state level Sangarsh Sandesh Jatha's continues its journey

Five state level jathas are continuing its journey across the districts of Tamil Nadu as part of the Sangarsh Sandesh jatha. The jathas are going through the districts where the national level jathas are not entering. 

Jatha No : 1

Led by CPIM State secretary Com. G Ramakrishnan started its journey on 26th February from Theni. State Secretariate member Com. MNS Venketaraman, Com. Lazar MLA, Com. R Karumalayan, Com. S Ponnuthai are the other members of the jatha. The jatha made its journey through Madurai on 27th and 28. The jatha will conclude on 1st March at Dindugal.

Jatha No : 2

Led by CPIM C C Member Com. U Vasuki started its journey from Sivagangai on 24th February. The journey went through Ramanathapuram and Thuthukkudi on 27th and 28th respectively. The jatha will go through Tirunelveli on 28th and will conclude is journey on March 1 at Virudnagar. Comrades. R Annaduari, G Sukumaran and S Muthukannan are the jatha members

Jatha No : 3

Led by CC member Com. K Balakrishnan M LA started its journey from Tiruchi on 23rd February. The jatha traversed through Puthukottai, Tanjavur, Nagapattinam on 24, 25 and 26th respectively. The jatha conlcuded its proceedings on 27th at Thiruvarur. State Secreteraite Member Com. Shanmugam, Com. Thirunavaskarasu, Com. Valantine, Com Rajmohan were part of the jatha

Jatha No : 4

Led By C C Member R Soundarrajan, started its journey from Thiruvalur on 24th February. Com. Selvasingh, P sunganthi, R Velmurugan are members of the jatha team. The jatha visited North Chennai, South Chennai and Kanchipuram on 25, 26 and 27. The jatha will conclude with a huge rally on 28th at Vellur

Jatha No: 5

Led by State Secretariat member Com. Kanakaraj  with Com. K Balabharati, Samuel Raj, K S Kanakaraj, Com. N Gunasekharan, S G Ramesh Babu as members The jatha started its journey form Pondicherry on 25th. The jatha was inaugurated by CC Member Com. T K Rangarajan. The jatha visited Kadalur and Thiruvannamalai on 26th and 27th. The jatha will end on 28th at Vizhuppuram.

Some district level jathas are also organised as part of the campaign. State secretariat member Com. Thangavel M L A will lead the jatha in Nilagiri district, State committee member Com. N Amritham and Com. D Ravindran will lead the jatha in Namakkal, Karur districts. State committee members com. R Jyothiram and Com. K Samuel Raj will lead the jatha in Perumpalur District.

Land of Punnapra Vayalar And A Thousand Struggles Welcome the Sangharsh Sandesh Jatha

Alappuzha, the land of the historic Punnapra Vayalar and innumerable struggles against feudal landlordism and imperialism, was all decked up to receive the Sangharsh Sandesh Jatha on its third day. Alappuzha was home to historic struggles of various sections of the working class and peasantry, which have been a mainstay of the advance of Communist Movement in Kerala. It is due to these struggles that land to the landless becomes a reality. Tens of thousands of comrades thronged the route of the Jatha to welcome it with the same revolutionary fervour.

As the Jatha entered into Alappuzha District, district leaders along with a huge gathering greeted the Jatha and felicitated the Jatha leader and team members. A procession of vehicles with hundreds of red volunteers on bikes led the way and people lined on both sides of the roads welcomed with slogans, flowers, salutes and the traditional vedikkettu (fireworks). Nearly a lakh people braved the hot sun and humid weather enthusiastically cheering the Jatha leaders and listened to the leaders in rapt attention.

The meeting was addressed by Polibureau member, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, M.A.Baby, Sudha Sundaraman, Vaikkom Viswam, LDF Convenor, Thomas Isaac and others. Veteran communist leader and hero of Punnapra Vayalar struggle P.K.Chandranandan felicitated the Jatha leaders. S. Ramachandran Pillai garlanded him and greeted him warmly.

G.Sudhakaran, MLA welcomed the gathering. Addressing the gathering S. Ramachandran Pillai hit out at the ruling classes and charged that the policies of the current union government are being drafted and guided by the USA. The India-US CEO Forum set up in 2005 and the Indo-US Knowledge Initiative in agriculture have been dictating economic policies and agricultural policy of our country he said. He pointed to the interefence of the corporates, influencing even who should become Ministers. He criticised the government for mortagaging the sovereignty of our country.

Pointing out that due to the new economic policies pursued during the last 20 years, the troubles of common masses have multiplied manifold, he said the ruling classes have completely failed. “Their only concern is corporate interests. Lack of housing, health facilities, education, employment opportunities, and social security are some of the ills that are plaguing our country. The economic policies of Congress and the BJP and other parties aren’t aimed at helping the struggling majority of Indians”.

This Jatha is spreading the message of struggle and seeking to build the broadest possible unity against the anti-people policies, divisive forces and against caste oppression, corruption and gender discrimination. “With a positive agenda of change, demanding a solution to the problems of the common people of our country, the Jatha will move forward”. He called upon people to join the struggle for alternatives in large numbers.

Rail Budget: More Burdens on People

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

The railway budget has added more burdens on the people traveling in trains. The railway minister has made the false claim that railway fares are not being increased. After increasing passenger fares by 20 per cent just two months before the railway budget, the present budget provisions will definitely increase the fares further. A fuel surcharge has been imposed which will result in raising the fares twice a year. There has been an increase in the reservation, cancellation and tatkal charges and fares of superfast trains.

The five per cent increase in freight charges across the board will have a cascading effect on inflation.

The budget has proposed to have an independent Rail Tariff Authority (RTA) which will decide on freight and tariff structure in the future. This will open the way for continuous increase in freight and passenger fares.

The railway budget has made no serious effort to overcome the financial crisis affecting the Indian railways. The criss was deliberately created in the past three years by enhancing the number of projects, spending on advertisements, foundation laying ceremonies and other activities. The railway minister has scaled down targets for the new lines, gauge conversion, allocation and acquisition of railway stock in order to reduce the operating ratio. The annual plan target was not achievable as the Public Private Partnership (PPP) has been a failure. Not a single investment has been there from the PPP model in the railways. The target for freight has been increased but the target for acquisition of wagons has been reduced by 2000, making it difficult to achieve the freight target. This has been clearly done to reduce the operating ratio. 

Though there has been a serious increase in the train accidents, there are no proposals to make rail travel accident free and safe in the future.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) demands that the increase in fares through various means and the rise in freight charges be rescinded.

Left Parties submit Four Crore Signatures Submitted to PM

Leaders of the Left parties, the CPI(M), CPI, AIFB & RSP met the Prime Minister today and submitted a memorandum urging the government to take immediate measures to bring a food security legislation in this budget session of parliament, which would provide for a universal public distribution system; ensure 35 kgs of food grains at not more than Rs. 2 per kg and ending the cash transfer scheme for the PDS.

The Left parties had conducted a signature campaign throughout the country and had collected over four crore signatures. Papers carrying these signatures were also delivered at the PM’s office. Those who met the Prime Minister were Prakash Karat, S. Sudhakar Reddy, Debabrata Biswas, T J Chandrachoodan, General Secretaries of the CPI(M), CPI, AIFB and RSP, Sitaram Yechury and Brinda Karat, Members of the CPI(M) Polit Bureau, D Raja, leader of the CPI group in the Rajya Sabha and Abani Roy, leader, RSP.

The full text of the memorandum signed by the General Secretaries of the four Left parties is given below:

“All over the country, people are suffering from acute price rise especially of food items. At this juncture the issue of food security has assumed critical importance. The Left parties have been conducting a campaign for the past one year for an effective food security law based on a universal public distribution system.

“In this connection, the Left parties have conducted a mass signature campaign all over the country on the following three demands:

• A Food Security law providing for a universal public distribution system without dividing the people into BPL and APL.
• 35 kgs of foodgrains should be supplied at not more than Rs. 2 per kg.
• No Cash transfer scheme in the public distribution system

“Till February 20, 2013 we have received 4,01,00,273 (four crore, one lakh, two hundred and seventy three) signatures. We are herewith submitting these signatures to you which embodies the popular expectations of the people for an effective food security law. 

“We hope your government will take immediate measures to bring the food security legislation on the above lines in this budget session of parliament.”

Madhya Pradash state level Sangarsh Sandhesh Jatha begins Journey

As part of the National level Sangarsh Sandhesh Jatha, state level jathas are also organised by the CPIM State committees through the places, where the national level jathas are not touching. The 13 day long Madhya Pradesh State level jatha kick started on 25th February from Bijuri in Anupur district neighboring Chatisgarh. The jatha led by CPIM MP State Secretary and CC member Com. Badal SaroJ was flagged off by a coal contract worker Karan Nishad. The jatha will conclude on March 10 at Singrauli. The jatha will merge with the Southern and Western Jatha on March 12 in Bhopal. The jatha will pass through seven districts viz Shadol, Umriya, Sathna, Shiva, Shiddi, Singrauli, in the eastern part of the state, mainly coal and tribal belt region, and culminate at Singroli on March 9 near UP border.  . CPIM State Secreteriate member Com. Ramvilas Goswami, State committe member and SFI State Secretary Com. Shailesh Bhohra are also member of the jatha.

Red salute to the Martyrs at the Sangarsh Sandesh Jatha venue

"Red Salute the Martyrs, Enemy can only Kill us, not our dreams and ideas, Martyrs will live in our hearts and deeds, Martyrs long live"... The venues of southern regional Sangarsh Sandesh Jatha was reverberating with these slogans when the family members of the Martyrs who laid down their life for the cause of the movement was honoured by the Jatha Leader Com. S Ramachandran Pillai. The people who came to greet the jatha stood up as a mark of respect to the Martyrs while they were honoured. Chairs were arranged for the family members of the Martyrs in the front row of the venue.

At the first reception point in Trivandrum family members of Martyrs, Com. N C Pani, Com. Sudarsanan, Com. Chandran, Com. Karumam Thulasi, Com. Vettikuzhi Ravindran, Com N K Baburaj, Com. Kochurajan, Com. Haridasan, Com. Ajay, Com Rahim, Com Justin Raj, Com S Dhanapalan, Com Phillip Rosario, Com Vishnu, Com. Sakkir, Com. Mohandas, Com Divakara Panikkar, Com. K N Mani, Com Rajesh, Com Kuha, Com Kunju Krishna Panikker, Com Rajiv Prasad, Com R Rathish were honoured by the jatha leaders. 

At the second receiption point in Kollam, family members of comrades Ajay prasad, Babu, Tangal Kunju, Parameswaran, P R Ponnappan, Sunil Kumar, Bhaskaran were honour.

Linking Sangarsh Sandhesh Jatha from Odisha flagged off

 

The sub-jatha from Odisha that is to merge with the Eastern jatha in Kolkata was flagged off in Parlakhemundi, the district headquarters of Gajapati district. More than one thousand people including hundreds of women and adivasis organised a colourful procession to mark the flagging off ceremony of this regional Sangharsh Sandesh jatha. It was flagged of by Janardan Pati Secretary CPI(M) Odisha State Committee and Central Committee member.

A public meeting presided by L. Ramagopal Rao was held on this occasion. State Secretariat members Ali Kishor Patnaik, Jaganath Misro and Adivasi Mahasabha leader Sala Marandi addressed the gathering. The speakers highlighted the alternative policies presented by CPI(M). The speakers dealt upon the issues of land, food, employment and corruption.

This regional jatha will cover a distance of more than seven hundred kilometres covering nine coastal districts of Odisha( Berhampur, Bhuwaneswar, Cuttak, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balesar, Neelgiri). The Jatha will enter Bengal through Kharagpur and will merge with the Main Eastern Regional Jatha led by Com. Prakash Karat on 28th at Kolkota.

The Jatha is led by Janardan Pati and other members of the jatha consists of State secretariat members Ali Kishor Patnaik, Jaganath Misro and Sarat Das, Vikas Nath, Jitendra Mohanty leaders of the student and youth fronts. Surendra Das and H.N.Jadav  members of the CPI (M) Sundargarh district secretariat and Sala Marandi President of the Adivasi Mahasabha too were present

Linking Jatha from Odisha flagged off

The sub-jatha from Odisha that is to merge with the Eastern jatha in Kolkata was flagged off in Parlakhemundi, the district headquarters of Gajapati district. More than one thousand people including hundreds of women and adivasis organised a colourful procession to mark the flagging off ceremony of this regional Sangharsh Sandesh jatha. It was flagged of by Janardan Pati Secretary CPI(M) Odisha State Committee and Central Committee member.

A public meeting presided by L. Ramagopal Rao was held on this occasion. State Secretariat members Ali Kishor Patnaik, Jaganath Misro and Adivasi Mahasabha leader Sala Marandi addressed the gathering. The speakers highlighted the alternative policies presented by CPI(M). The speakers dealt upon the issues of land, food, employment and corruption.

This regional jatha will cover a distance of more than seven hundred kilometres covering nine districts of Odisha. The Jatha is led by Janardan Pati and other members of the jatha consists of State secretariat members Ali Kishor Patnaik, Jaganath Misro and Sarat Das, Vikas Nath, Jitendra Mohanty leaders of the student and youth fronts. Surendra Das and H.N.Jadav  members of the CPI (M) Sundargarh district secretariat and Sala Marandi President of the Adivasi Mahasabha too were present

- See more at: http://deshabhimani.com/sandeshjatha2013/news-Linking_Jatha_from_Odisha_flagged_off/63.html#sthash.E7brAK1B.dpuf

Linking Jatha from Odisha flagged off

The sub-jatha from Odisha that is to merge with the Eastern jatha in Kolkata was flagged off in Parlakhemundi, the district headquarters of Gajapati district. More than one thousand people including hundreds of women and adivasis organised a colourful procession to mark the flagging off ceremony of this regional Sangharsh Sandesh jatha. It was flagged of by Janardan Pati Secretary CPI(M) Odisha State Committee and Central Committee member.

A public meeting presided by L. Ramagopal Rao was held on this occasion. State Secretariat members Ali Kishor Patnaik, Jaganath Misro and Adivasi Mahasabha leader Sala Marandi addressed the gathering. The speakers highlighted the alternative policies presented by CPI(M). The speakers dealt upon the issues of land, food, employment and corruption.

This regional jatha will cover a distance of more than seven hundred kilometres covering nine districts of Odisha. The Jatha is led by Janardan Pati and other members of the jatha consists of State secretariat members Ali Kishor Patnaik, Jaganath Misro and Sarat Das, Vikas Nath, Jitendra Mohanty leaders of the student and youth fronts. Surendra Das and H.N.Jadav  members of the CPI (M) Sundargarh district secretariat and Sala Marandi President of the Adivasi Mahasabha too were present

- See more at: http://deshabhimani.com/sandeshjatha2013/news-Linking_Jatha_from_Odisha_flagged_off/63.html#sthash.E7brAK1B.dpuf

Detailed Route map of Sangarsh Sandhesh Jatha

Southern Jatha

Led by S. Ramachandran Pillai, Member of the Polit Bureau, it has Polit Bureau Members, K. Varadharajan & M. A. Baby, besides Central Committee Member V. Srinivasa Rao and Sudha Sundararaman. Other PB/CC Members will join in their respective states.

 

Eastern Jatha  

Led by General Secretary Prakash Karat, it has P.B. Member Biman Basu besides Central Committee members Jogendra Sharma, Subhashini Ali and J. S. Majumdar. Other PB/CC Members will join in their respective states.

 

Northern Jatha

Led by Polit Bureau Member Brinda Karat, it has Central Committee members Hannan Mollah, Inderjeet Singh, Rajendra Sharma participating. Other CC Members will join in their respective states.

Western Jatha

Led by Sitaram Yechury, Member Polit Bureau, it has Central Committee members Nilotpal Basu and Mohd Salim as also Mariam Dhawale, Member of the Maharashtra State Committee of the Party. Other CC Members will join in their respective states.

Second day of the Sangarsh Sandesh Jatha

Marthandam, Tamil Nadu

Kaliyikkavila, Kerala

The historic Sangarsh Sandesh Jatha led by CPIM which was inaugurated on 24th from the Southern Most tip of India by CPIM General Secretary by handing over the flag to Com. S R P, the Jatha leader, the jatha began its second day journey from Marthandam in Tamil Nadu. Thousands of people thronged to the street to greet the jatha. The second reception point was Thukalay, where also farmers and  workers came in large number to greet the jatha. Then the jatha entered the Kerala, via Kaliyikkavila where a rousing recepition was organised by CPIM Kerala State committee. CPIM Kerala State Secretary Com. Pinarayi Vijayan welcomed the jatha leaders to Kerala. Red Volunteers paid Guard of Honour to Jatha Leaders.

Earlier a public meeting was organised in Kaliyikkavila where more than 5000 people from Parassala Area committee came to greet the jatha. The meeting was addressed by Comrades V S Achuthanadan, E P Jayarajan etc.

ജനദ്രോഹനയങ്ങള്‍ക്കെതിരെ രാജ്യത്ത് യഥാര്‍ഥ ബദല്‍ കെട്ടിപ്പടുക്കല്‍ ലക്ഷ്യമിട്ട് സിപിഐ എം നടത്തുന്ന സമരസന്ദേശ യാത്ര കേരളത്തിലേക്ക് കടന്നു. സംസ്ഥാനാതിര്‍ത്തിയായ കളിയിക്കാവിളയില്‍ ഉജ്ജ്വല വരവേല്‍പ്പാണ് ജാഥയ്ക്ക് ലഭിച്ചത്.

കന്യാകുമാരി ഗാന്ധിപാര്‍ക്കില്‍ വന്‍ ജനാവലിയെ സാക്ഷിയാക്കി ജനറല്‍ സെക്രട്ടറി പ്രകാശ് കാരാട്ട് ഞായറാഴ്ച ഉദ്ഘാടനം ചെയ്ത ജാഥയാണ് കേരളത്തിലേക്ക് കടന്നത്. പൊളിറ്റ് ബ്യൂറോ അംഗമായ എസ് രാമചന്ദ്രന്‍പിള്ളയാണ് ജാഥാക്യാപ്റ്റന്‍. രാജ്യത്ത് പര്യടനം നടത്തുന്ന നാലുജാഥകളില്‍ ആദ്യത്തേതാണ് കന്യാകുമാരിയില്‍ തുടങ്ങിയത്. ജാഥയ്ക്ക് തിങ്കളാഴ്ച രാവിലെ ഒമ്പതിന് തക്കലയിലും പത്തിന് മാര്‍ത്താണ്ഡത്തും സ്വീകരണം നല്‍കി. പിന്നീട് കേരള അതിര്‍ത്തിയായ കളിയിക്കാവിളയില്‍ സിപിഐ എം സംസ്ഥാന സെക്രട്ടറി പിണറായി വിജയന്റെയും പൊളിറ്റ്ബ്യൂറോഅംഗം കോടിയേരി ബാലകൃഷ്ണന്റെയും നേതൃത്വത്തില്‍ ജാഥയെ വരവേറ്റു.

ജാഥയെ വരവേല്‍ക്കാന്‍ സിപിഐ എമ്മിന്റെയും വിവിധ വര്‍ഗബഹുജന സംഘടനകളുടെയും നേതൃത്വത്തില്‍ അയ്യായിരത്തോളംപേര്‍ അണിനിരന്നു. റെഡ് വളന്റിയര്‍മാരുടെ അകമ്പടിക്കുപുറമെ ശിങ്കാരിമേളം, മുത്തുക്കുട, ബാന്റുമേളം തുടങ്ങിയ നാടന്‍കലാരൂപങ്ങള്‍ വിവിധ ലോക്കല്‍ കമ്മിറ്റികളുടെ നേതൃത്വത്തില്‍ അണിനിരന്നു. ഏരിയയിലുടനീളം പ്രചാരണബോര്‍ഡുകളും ദേശീയപാതയില്‍ കമാനങ്ങളും കൊടിതോരണങ്ങളും അലങ്കരിച്ചു.

കളിയിക്കവിളയില്‍ ചേര്‍ന്ന പൊതുസമ്മേളനത്തില്‍ വി എസ് അച്യുതാനന്ദന്‍. ഇ പി ജയരാജന്‍. പി കെ ശ്രീമതി. കെ കെ ശൈലജ തുടങ്ങിയ നേതാക്കള്‍ സംസാരിച്ചു. വൈകിട്ട് മൂന്നിന് ആറ്റിങ്ങലിലാണ് കേരളത്തിലെ ആദ്യ സ്വീകരണം.
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ജനദ്രോഹനയങ്ങള്‍ക്കെതിരെ രാജ്യത്ത് യഥാര്‍ഥ ബദല്‍ കെട്ടിപ്പടുക്കല്‍ ലക്ഷ്യമിട്ട് സിപിഐ എം നടത്തുന്ന സമരസന്ദേശ യാത്ര കേരളത്തിലേക്ക് കടന്നു. സംസ്ഥാനാതിര്‍ത്തിയായ കളിയിക്കാവിളയില്‍ ഉജ്ജ്വല വരവേല്‍പ്പാണ് ജാഥയ്ക്ക് ലഭിച്ചത്.

കന്യാകുമാരി ഗാന്ധിപാര്‍ക്കില്‍ വന്‍ ജനാവലിയെ സാക്ഷിയാക്കി ജനറല്‍ സെക്രട്ടറി പ്രകാശ് കാരാട്ട് ഞായറാഴ്ച ഉദ്ഘാടനം ചെയ്ത ജാഥയാണ് കേരളത്തിലേക്ക് കടന്നത്. പൊളിറ്റ് ബ്യൂറോ അംഗമായ എസ് രാമചന്ദ്രന്‍പിള്ളയാണ് ജാഥാക്യാപ്റ്റന്‍. രാജ്യത്ത് പര്യടനം നടത്തുന്ന നാലുജാഥകളില്‍ ആദ്യത്തേതാണ് കന്യാകുമാരിയില്‍ തുടങ്ങിയത്. ജാഥയ്ക്ക് തിങ്കളാഴ്ച രാവിലെ ഒമ്പതിന് തക്കലയിലും പത്തിന് മാര്‍ത്താണ്ഡത്തും സ്വീകരണം നല്‍കി. പിന്നീട് കേരള അതിര്‍ത്തിയായ കളിയിക്കാവിളയില്‍ സിപിഐ എം സംസ്ഥാന സെക്രട്ടറി പിണറായി വിജയന്റെയും പൊളിറ്റ്ബ്യൂറോഅംഗം കോടിയേരി ബാലകൃഷ്ണന്റെയും നേതൃത്വത്തില്‍ ജാഥയെ വരവേറ്റു.

ജാഥയെ വരവേല്‍ക്കാന്‍ സിപിഐ എമ്മിന്റെയും വിവിധ വര്‍ഗബഹുജന സംഘടനകളുടെയും നേതൃത്വത്തില്‍ അയ്യായിരത്തോളംപേര്‍ അണിനിരന്നു. റെഡ് വളന്റിയര്‍മാരുടെ അകമ്പടിക്കുപുറമെ ശിങ്കാരിമേളം, മുത്തുക്കുട, ബാന്റുമേളം തുടങ്ങിയ നാടന്‍കലാരൂപങ്ങള്‍ വിവിധ ലോക്കല്‍ കമ്മിറ്റികളുടെ നേതൃത്വത്തില്‍ അണിനിരന്നു. ഏരിയയിലുടനീളം പ്രചാരണബോര്‍ഡുകളും ദേശീയപാതയില്‍ കമാനങ്ങളും കൊടിതോരണങ്ങളും അലങ്കരിച്ചു.

കളിയിക്കവിളയില്‍ ചേര്‍ന്ന പൊതുസമ്മേളനത്തില്‍ വി എസ് അച്യുതാനന്ദന്‍. ഇ പി ജയരാജന്‍. പി കെ ശ്രീമതി. കെ കെ ശൈലജ തുടങ്ങിയ നേതാക്കള്‍ സംസാരിച്ചു. വൈകിട്ട് മൂന്നിന് ആറ്റിങ്ങലിലാണ് കേരളത്തിലെ ആദ്യ സ്വീകരണം.
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First Reception of Sangharsh Sandesh Jatha in Kerala

The Southern Sangharsh Sandesh Jatha reached Attingal from Thiruvananthapuram by 4.30 PM. The last stretch of two kilometers took over half an hour for the Jatha vehicle as thousands of people - women, children and youth were milling around both sides of the road waving enthusiastically at the Jatha and jostling to come closer expressing their resolve to be part of the struggle. The Jatha cavalcade was led by a cultural team and was followed by vehicles with Polit Bureau member and Kerala state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan and the Kerala coordinator of the Jatha A.K.Balan and hundreds of activists and red volunteers. 

Attingal, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

 The Jatha was received by the traditional Chendamelam and bursting of crackers and unending slogans as well as “Lal Salaams” to the leaders taking forward the Party’s message of struggles. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, M A Baby and Sudha Sundaraman who had come in advance had concluded their speeches as the Jatha leader arrived to a rousing welcome. V S Achutanandan and other leaders rich with the experience of struggles were there to greet the Jatha. Hundreds of representatives of different area committees and local committees felicitated the Jatha leader and other members. More than half a lakh people braved the sweltering heat to listen to their beloved leaders. 

SRP addressing the gathering said that it was for the first time that the Communist Party had embarked on an All India Jatha which would together traverse over 10,000 km and take the message of struggles to millions of Indians. He said the response so far was indicative of the resonance of the message of building an alternative to the ruling class pro-rich policies and for intensified struggles against all forms of exploitation. 

He enumerated the six main issues and main demands of the Jatha and emphasized the need to build the broadest unity of struggling masses to usher in a progressive alternative against communalism, casteism, corruption and discrimination. Land for the landless and homes for the homeless and food security for all is a central demand of the Jatha. He said that CPI(M) will take forward the call of the 20th Party Congress to build struggles against indiscriminate land acquisition, caste oppression, violence against women, for better health and education facilities and employment for all. 

The masses can only escape from the extreme distress, poverty and exploitation through a complete overhaul of the political and economic system and by ushering in a radical alternative which the CPI(M) and the Left are fighting for he said. He called for strengthening of an alliance of struggling people and uniting them to channelise their anger and intensify struggles for ushering in a pro-people radical alternative.

Guwahati subjatha of Sangarsh Sandesh Jatha flagged off

Guwahati Jatha was flagged off by Manik Sarkar, Polit Bureau Member on February 23. CPIM Assam State secretary Com. Uddub Barman is leading the jatha. The jatha will cover Nalbari, Barpeta, Kokrajar, Bongaygon and Golpara Districts in Assam on the 23rd and 24th. The jatha will enter West Bengal on the 25th. Nirupam Sen, Polit Bureau Member will receive the Guwahati Jatha at Cooch Behar. From there the jatha will start its journey through Jaypalguri, North Dinjapur, South Dinjapur, Malda, Murshidhabad, Nadiya, 24 North Parganas district and reach Kolkota on the 28th where it will join with the main Eastern Jatha led by Com. Prakash Karat.

Com Manik Sarkar while inaugurating the mass meeting after flagging off of the Guwahati Jatha, termed the recent 48-hour countrywide strike as an expression of resentment of the common people and called for a vigorous agitation against price rise, unemployment and corruption across the country.

"The recent bandh was successful because it had the support of common people. They are the worst sufferers of the UPA government's failure to curb price rise, solve unemployment problem and stem rampant corruption. Apart from Left-affiliated trade unions, Congress and BJP's trade unions extended support to the strike. This itself reflected that people and trade unions across the parties are against the present affairs of the government," said Sarkar.

"Today, half of India's population comprises youth in the age group of 18 to 30 years. Yet, 20 to 22 crore educated youths are unemployed. There is escalation of price rise of essential commodities. On the other hand, there is rampant corruption and huge accumulation of black money in foreign banks. Through this 'jatha', CPM will reach out to the common people int he country, highlighting the failures of UPA government," said Sarkar. Sarkar said even President Pranab Mukherjee, while addressing both houses of Parliament recently, did not raised these urgent problems.

Sangharsh Sandesh Jatha (Southern) Flagged Off

Prakash Karat, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) flagged off the Sangharsh Sandesh jatha in Kanyakumari on 24 February 2013. Prakash Karat handed over the jatha flag to S. Ramachandran Pillai, Polit Bureau member and the leader of the South Jatha. This is the first of the four jathas that the CPI(M) is conducting.

In an impressive flagging off ceremony organised in Kanyakumari, Prakash Karat explained the reasons for organising the jathas covering the entire length and breadth of the country. He explained that the ruinous policies of the Congress led UPA government are leading to all round depravement of the common people. Karat stated that through this Jatha CPI (M) will mobilise people to fight for the right for food, employment, education, health, rights of the oppressed sections such as dalits, adivasis and minorities etc. He also said that through these Jathas the party is also calling up the people to join the fight against corruption.

He stated that along with this jatha that will travel through the all the states in Southern India, there are three more jathas – the eastern jatha starts from Kolkata, the western jatha from Mumbai and the northern jatha from Amritsar. “All these jathas will culminate in Delhi, where a mass rally will be held on 19th March”. He called upon the people to join the struggle for their rights and strengthen the fight for alternative policies. Karat concluded his speech stating “It is only the Left and democratic forces that can give a real alternative to the disastrous policies pursued by the successive governments at the Centre”.

S. Ramachandran Pillai the leader of the jatha thanked the people of Kanyakumari for the reception they had accorded to the jatha. He said that the policies pursued by the Congress led UPA government are benefitting the corporates and the rich people in our country. He criticised the government for their failure to address the issues of the common people. He said that there is a need to start massive struggles against these policies which are exploiting agriculture workers, peasants, minorities and women. “To protect the their rights we need alternate policies, and for this people have to come together and join forces with CPI (M) in this struggle.

Noor Mohammed, Secretariat member of the Tamilnadu state committee gave the welcome address while K. Varadarajan, Polit Bureau member presided over the meeting.Others who participated were V. Srinivasa Rao, Member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee and Sudha Sundararaman, Member, Central Committee.

After the public meeting, the jatha left for the first destination of the day, Nagercoil, where a huge public meeting was held.

Press Release of Sangharsh Sandesh Jatha

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is conducting a Sangharsh Sandesh Jatha which will traverse the length and breadth of the country. Four main jathas will start from Kanyakumari, Kolkata, Mumbai and Amritsar to Delhi. At the conclusion of these jathas, there will be a massive rally at Delhi on March 19 at Ramlila Maidan.

The purpose of the jatha is to highlight some of the main problems and issues facing the people and to set out alternative policies advocated by the CPI(M). The policies of the UPA government at the Centre have resulted in continuous price rise, agrarian distress, growing unemployment and massive corruption. There is no difference between the Congress and the BJP as far as their basic policies are concerned.

The jathas will call for people’s unity to struggle for their basic rights, against communalism and to demand a reversal of the disastrous economic policies being followed by both the Congress and the BJP. The jatha will focus on the following areas:

1) Right to Land and House-sites: Implement land reform policies by distributing surplus land to the landless. Guarantee house-sites to each landless household. 

2) Curb Price Rise and Right to Food: Universal right to 35 kgs of foodgrains at a maximum price of rupees two a kg. Scrap APL/BPL based fraudulent poverty calculations. Stop forward trading in foodgrains and other essential commodities.

3) Right to Education and Health: Stop privatisation of educational and health services. Increase allocations for education and health. Guarantee implementation of the Right to Education Act. Strengthen public services in health and ensure strict regulation of the private sector.

4) Right to Employment: Step up public investment to ensure creation of jobs; lift the ban on recruitment and ensure time-bound recruitment for all vacancies, particularly for SC/ST/OBC backlog; increase days of work under NREGA with price index linked minimum wages and expand it to include guarantee of work days in urban India. 

5) Ensure Social Justice and Rights of Women : Curb violence against women and provide one-third reservation for women in legislatures and Parliament; end social practices of untouchability and discrimination against dalits; protect the land and forest rights of adivasis; provision of equal opportunities in education and jobs for the Muslim community.

6) End Corruption: Enact Lokpal legislation with independent powers of investigation; bring back black money stashed in foreign banks; recover losses from the corporates responsible; send the corrupt to jail.

Programme of the Jathas:
February 24 – launch of the Kanyakumari to Delhi jatha. This jatha will be led by S. Ramachandran Pillai and the team of leaders will consist of M. A. Baby, K. Varadharajan, V. Srinivasa Rao and Sudha Sundararaman.

March 1 – Jatha will start from Kolkata to Delhi. This jatha will be led by Prakash Karat and the team of leaders will consist of Biman Basu, Jogendra Sharma, Subhashini Ali and J. S. Majumdar.

March 4 – Jatha will start from Jalianwalabagh in Amritsar to Delhi. This jatha will be led by Brinda Karat and the team of leaders will consist of Hannan Mollah, Inderjeet Singh and Rajendra Sharma.

March 8 – Jatha will start from Mumbai to Delhi. This jatha will be led by Sitaram Yechury and the team of leaders will consist of Nilotpal Basu, Mohd. Salim and Mariam Dhawale.
The Kanyakumari jatha will be flagged off on February 24 by the General Secretary Prakash Karat.

Linking Jathas
From Guwahati (Assam), there will be a jatha to Kolkata starting on February 23. This jatha will be flagged off by Manik Sarkar, member of the Polit Bureau.
From Paralakhemundi (Odisha), there will be a jatha to Kolkata starting on February 24.
From Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), there will be a jatha to Chandigarh starting on March 3.From Bhavnagar (Gujarat), there will be a jatha to Indore starting on March 6.

During this period, there will be various sub jathas conducted within the states that will link up to the main jathas. Altogether, more than 10,000 kilometers will be covered by all the jathas. Ten lakh copies of a booklet explaining the aim of the jatha have been published in various languages for the campaign.

P J Kurien Should Go

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

 

 The surfacing of fresh evidence in the Suryanelli gangrape case concerning the involvement of P.J.Kurien comes in the background of the Supreme Court orders annulling the acquittal of 35 men by the Kerala High Court in 2005 and ordering a reexamination of the case.  It should be noted that Kurien had got the benefit of this flawed judgement of the High Court when his petition not to be included as one of the accused was accepted by the High Court and Supreme Court in 2007. A reinvestigation is essential and Kurien should step down from his post of Dy. Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, till it is over.

 

The Kerala Government is adopting double standards by not ordering a reinvestigation into the case against Kurien. Only recently it had ordered reinvestigation into two cases of murder dating back decades, which had been decided through the judicial process including, in one of the cases, upto the Supreme Court.

 

The CPI(M) appeals to the Congress leadership to view this matter in the proper perspective. This is not an issue being raised for party-political purposes. The whole country is seriously concerned and agitated about the alarming rise in sexual crimes against women. Parliament is to discuss laws concerning sexual violence against women. At such a juncture, when a rape victim has leveled a serious charge against P J Kurien and fresh evidence has come to light, will it be proper for him to continue in the post of Dy. Chairman of the Rajya Sabha? It becomes incumbent for him to resign. If not, he should be removed from the post of Deputy Chairman.

Stop Increase in Prices of Petrol & Diesel

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

 

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly protests the hike in the price of petrol by Rs. 1.50 per litre  and the monthly hike in the price of diesel by 45 paise.

 

Since the deregulation of petrol pricing, there is a constant and steep increase in the price of petrol. In the case of diesel, the price rise will be continuous on a monthly basis.  The government is only adding to its tax revenues by such escalating prices of petroleum products and increasing the profits of the oil companies at the expense of the common people.

 

The CPI(M) demands the cancellation of the price hike and the restoration of the administered price mechanism. To protest against this added burden on the people, the Party calls upon all sections of the people to support and join the general strike called by the Central Trade Unions on February 20 and 21, 2013.