Resolutions adopted at the CPIM 21st Party congress, April 2015, Visakhapatanam

For SC/ST Reservations in the Private Sector and for a Law for SCSCP and TSP Funds
Against the Land Acquisition Bill
Against the Present Labour Reforms
Ensure Implementation of Recommendations for Minority Development Programmes
For a Special Session of Parliament
For Employment or an Unemployment Allowance -- Make the Right to Work a Fundamental Right
In Solidarity with the People of West Bengal
Keep the Promises Made to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
On Crimes Against Women
On Culture And A Scientific Outlook
On Latin America
On massive crop losses due to unseasonal rains and hailstorms
On MGNREGA
On Observing the Birth Centenary of Harkishan Singh Surjeet
On Palestine
On the Centenary Year of the Great October Socialist Revolution
On the Custodial Killings of Under-Trial Prisoners in Telangana
On the Issue of Sri Lankan Tamils
On the Killing Of Migrant Workers by Andhra Pradesh Government
On the North East Region
On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill
Oppose Violations of Net Neutrality and Enclosure of the Internet
Protest Against the Massive Rigging of the Kolkata Municipal Elections
Resist Pro-Corporate Anti-Poor Union Budget
Resolution On Issues of Education

CPIM Central committee elected at the 21st Party congress, April 2015, Visakhapatanam

CPIM state secretaries

CPIM Jharkhand State Conference

5th State Conference of the CPI(M) in Jharkhand began with ‘ Workers-Peasant Unity’ rally  on February 2, 2015 at Bokaro Steel City, which culminated in a huge mass meeting at Mazdoor Maidan. The meeting was addressed by Polit Bureau Member Brinda Karat and Central Committee Member and MP, Md Salim.

The conference has given a clarion call to launch a relentless mass struggle against loot of  ‘land- forest - natural resources’ by corporates and rebuff the politics of communal frenzy.

The conference inaugurated by Brinda Karat was attended by 248 delegates/observers. 53 comrades enriched the Political Organizational Report placed by State Secretary G.K.Baksi. Discussions were held in a constructive and self-critical atmosphere.

Central Committee member, Madan Ghosh spoke in the delegate session emphasizing the role of leadership and development of mass organizations.

15 resolutions were adopted by the conference.
 

Polit Bureau Member S Ramachandran Pillai  summed up the deliberations asserted the interconnection with the basic class issues while raising local issues and to link up with the alternative policies pronounced by the party.

The conference unanimously elected a 35 member State Committee. State Committee in its first meeting re-elected  G.K Baksi as the State Secretary.

The conference unanimously elected 8 delegates and 2 observers for the 21st Party Congress.

AAP Victory in Delhi

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

The Aam Aadmi Party, under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, has won an unprecedented and resounding mandate in the Delhi assembly election.  The CPI(M) congratulates the people of Delhi for decisively rejecting the Bharatiya Janata Party.  This massive mandate should enable the new government to adopt and implement policies in favour of the aam aadmi.

Left parties to contest 14 seats in Delhi

Left parties have joined forces and decided to fight on 14 seats in the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls focussing on various "anti people" policies, resist communal campaigns and highlighting issues of the working poor.
 

"The CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML) LIBERATION, SUCI(C), Forward Bloc, RSP and Socialist Party (India) have come to a seat-sharing arrangement and will be extending support to each other on 14 seats," a statement said.

The parties has decided to field its candidates in Timarpur, Ballimaran, Palam, Trilokpuri and Krishna Nagar (CPI), Karawal Nagar and Dwarka (CPI-M), Narela, Wazirpur and Kondli (CPI(M-L) Liberation), Mundka and Nangloi Jat (AIFB), Badli and Sadar Bazar (SUCI(C).

The party statement said that although Socialist Party (India) and RSP are not contesting any seat, they will support the above candidates fielded by other Left parties.

"We will be seeking to highlight issues of Delhi's working poor including implementation of minimum wage and all labour laws, ending contractualization, upholding the right of all street hawkers to ply their livelihood without harassment, end to demolition of jhuggis, legal ownership to slum dwellers...

"...The Left parties are also committed to actively resisting communal campaigns and promoting unity and peace among people," the statement said.

The party alleged that the Narendra Modi government is vehemently pushing forward the neo-liberal agenda as a kind of pay back to the corporates for their support in the elections and is "hell bent on changing labour laws in favour of employers".

"The RSS-BJP is indulging in a venomous communal campaign in order to divide the people and deflect the growing discontent against their government into disruptive channels.

"In Delhi, the BJP-RSS have made cynical attempts to engineer communal violence in Bawana, Trilokpuri, Sriram Colony, Nand Nagri, Madanpur Khadar and others. Their immediate aim is to polarize people on communal lines for electoral gains in the forthcoming Assembly elections...," it said

DYFI has written a letter to the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi

DYFI has written a letter to the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemning the efforts by Sangh Pariwar to eulogise Nathuram Godse, the murderer of Mahatma Gandhi.
 
The full text of the letter is as follows. Share and send this letter to as many friends and contacts as possible.
Let us unite for INDIA !

To
Shri. Narendra Modi
Honourable Prime Minister of India

Respected Sir,
According to several reports in the media, certain political groups such as Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha have declared their intention to honour Nathuram Godse by building his statues at public places, building Godse temple, organizing film shows etc.
Along with all the patriotic citizens of our republic, we condemn these heinous proclamations and plans.

Hindu Mahasabha leaders have announced next 30th of January, the martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi, as the day on which foundation stone would be laid for Godse temple and Godse movie would be screened. They have chosen the anniversary of the murder of Mahatma Gandhi to exhort the people to shower praise on the murderer! By such shameless display of their barbarian mindset, these elements have demonstrated that they are true followers of Nathuram Godse.

On behalf of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), we demand that the government of India must firmly disallow all such moves aimed at promoting Godse cult in our country. We further demand that the government of India must instruct all state governments to firmly disallow such activities.

We have observed two trends in the efforts to slowly inculcate respect for Godse. One is to unabashedly vilify Mahatma Gandhi and eulogize Godse. The other is to formally disapprove the act of murdering Gandhiji but at the same time exonerate Godse by suggesting that he also was a patriot though with an ideology different from that of Gandhiji. All these are nothing but cunning ways to legitimize Godse and the poisonous ideas personified by him.

To claim that Godse was a patriot is a disgusting display of dishonesty. Godse did not oppose British imperialists; he did not fight for the freedom of India even as thousands of patriotic Indians were laying their lives in the struggle to liberate India from British imperialism. Godse belonged to that political stream whose leader V.D.Savarkar begged for clemency from the British and, upon gaining his release, totally desisted from working against the imperialists.

Godse had no love for India and the people of India. He was engaged in the business of spreading hatred. According to the vision of India that he shared, crores of Indians belonging to minority communities were to be exterminated or driven out of the country or compelled to live in permanent subordination with no rights. It is such maniacal ideology which prompted Godse and his colleagues to murder Mahatma Gandhi. The current effort to characterise Godse as a nationalist and a patriot is, in fact, part of a plan to spread the ideology of hatred personified by him and take the country to the path of endless violence.

The independent republic of India cannot permit any effort to spread the lie that Godse, the murderer of Mahatma Gandhi, was a patriot. We urge the government of India to strictly disallow all direct or indirect efforts to eulogize Nathuram Godse or be apologetic about him in the public sphere.

Thanking You
Yours faithfully
MB Rajesh Avoy Mukherjee
President General Secretary

CPI (M) Andaman & Nicobar State Conference

THE ninth state conference of the CPI(M), Andaman and Nicobar unit held in Port Blair on January 4, has decided to re-activate the Party in the islands and intensify the fight against the anti-people policies of the BJP-led government at the centre. The conference was held at the Shaheed Bhavan, the CPI(M) state committee office, in Port Blair. The conference passed a resolution demanding establishment of a legislative assembly for the Andaman and Nicobar islands in order to fulfill the aspirations of the islanders.

The conference began with the hoisting of the Party flag by Hannan Mollah, CPI(M) central secretariat member and former MP, at the venue and thereafter, delegates and observers paid floral tributes at the martyrs column. D Laxman Rao, chairman of the reception committee, welcomed the participants to the conference while Tapan Bepari moved condolence resolutions. A three-member presidium comprising Tapan Bepari, D Hemlata and Ramjeeban Sarkar conducted the delegate session.

Hannan Mollah, after inaugurating the delegate session, dealt at length the prevailing situation in the country and said that the BJP-led central government is pursuing the same anti-people policies of the erstwhile Congress-led government. In addition, the Sangh Parivar is trying to divide the country on communal lines. People belonging to minority communities are being targeted by the Sangh Parivar outfits.

Mollah said the problems of the people remain unresolved as the Narendra Modi government is busy appeasing the corporate sector and communal forces. Referring to the widening inequalities between the rich and the poor, he said more and more concessions are being given to the corporate houses while the condition of the poor is deteriorating day-by-day. Referring to the spurt in farmer suicides in the country, Mollah said that the BJP government has forgotten the promises of remunerative prices of farm produces and other benefits given to the farmers during the Lok Sabha elections campaign.  

K G Das, secretary of CPI(M) state organising committee, presented the report  on the working of the Party in the Andaman and Nicobar islands for the last three years.  He briefly explained the political situation in the union territory and pointed out the unprincipled stand adopted by certain non-Congress and non-BJP parties in the islands which led to the candidates of all the political parties contesting separately during the last Lok Sabha elections. The Party’s failure to mobilise various sections of the people in the islands also reflected in the report.

Fifty-nine delegates and observers from various parts of the union territory participated in the discussion on the report. The conference adopted 29 resolutions on various issues concerning the islanders. Through a resolution, the conference also demanded establishment of a legislative assembly for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on the Puducherry model.

The venue of the conference was named after veteran CPI(M) leader late Comrade Samar Mukherjee, who was a frequent visitor to the islands while  he was a Member of Parliament and took up various issues of the islands on the floor of the parliament.  

The conference elected a 16-member state organising committee with D Laxman Rao as secretary.  A six-member state secretariat comprising D Laxman Rao, K G Das, Tapan Bepari, B Chandrachoodan, Dr Gouranga Majhi and  Ramjeeban Sarkar was also elected in the conference.  K G Das was elected as the delegate for the 21st Party Congress.

On conclusion of the conference, a public meeting was held at Delanipur Park which was addressed by Hannan Mollah and all the six state secretariat members. Explaining the resolutions adopted in the conference, Das, the outgoing secretary, told the gathering that the Party has decided to mobilise the people on the issues of youth, students, workers and farmers.

Obama Visit: India, USA’s Subordinate Ally

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

 

The outcome of the visit of President Obama has resulted in the Modi government surrendering on some of the vital interests of the country both, strategic and economic, to US pressures.

 

The "agreement" on the nuclear liability issue sharply indicates this surrender. The Civil Nuclear Liability Act passed by Indian parliament in 2010 was meant to protect the right to Indian citizens to due compensation and relief in the event of a nuclear accident. The liability of the supplier of nuclear reactors and equipment was specifically introduced given the dismal experience of the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy. The Modi government in order to meet the persistent US demand to nullify such clauses in the law has chosen to circumvent them. By creating an insurance pool by Indian public sector insurance companies and financial contribution of Indian government together amounting to Rs 1500 crore, effectively, the supplier's liability has been transferred entirely onto India and its taxpayers.

 

Further, to circumvent Sec 46 of the Act wherein victims of a nuclear accident can sue for damages against the operator or supplier, the Modi government has promised to issue a "memorandum of law" to dilute the intent of this clause, which in itself is a dubious step legally. All this is being done to fulfill the promise made by the UPA government to import 10,000 mw of nuclear reactors from the US as a quid pro quo for the nuclear deal.

 

The Obama visit has also led to a Joint Strategic Vision on the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean region. This statement aligns India to the US strategic pivot to Asia. Modi's Act East policy is now dovetailed to the US strategy to contain China as seen in the references to the South China Sea and the joint statement’s reference to the tripartite alliance between US, Japan and India.

 

This has to be seen along with the announcement of the renewed Defence Framework Agreement for the next ten years. The details of this renewed Agreement have not yet been made public. There are genuine apprehensions that this pact would bind India militarily closer to the US to the detriment of our national sovereignty and strategic autonomy.

 

In major areas, India has agreed to further open up to US investments for profit maximization. India is now committed to buy US products for nuclear energy. Military equipment and “greener technologies” for limiting carbon emissions to combat climate change. Further the $ 4 billion pledge by President Obama consists largely of loans to buy US products. Thus instead of “Make in India”, the Modi government is promoting “Made in USA”.

 

The Modi government has not succeeded in pressing and accomplishing any gains on the issues concerning our bilateral relations. The US has not acknowledged India's patents and intellectual property regime, the food security policy, or, issuance of visas for Indian professionals and personnel.

 

In sum, the Modi government has set the course for a subordinate relationship with the United States.

The strengthening of the Communist Party of Greece marks a tendency for forces to rally around it again

The strengthening of the KKE marks a tendency for forces to rally around it again

• In the elections on the 25th of January, the KKE received 5.5% of the vote, an increase of 1% (+ 60,000 votes) in comparison to the parliamentary elections of 2012, marking a positive trend οf forces to rally around the KKE again, a trend that had also been witnessed in the EU parliamentary elections, the regional and local elections, in the KKE’s initiatives in the labour movement.
• The KKE achieved third place in 11 electoral regions: 2^nd region of Piraeus, Samos, Lesvos, Lefkada, Zakynthos, Kephalonia, Kerkyra, Larisa, Trikala, Prebeza, Boiotia.
• The KKE had 15 MPs elected ( it had 12)
• The GS of the CC of the KKE, Dimitris Koutsoumpas, in his statement saluted the thousands of our country’s workers and young people that responded to the KKE’s appeal and contributed today to its strengthening, confirming the positive trend for the rallying of forces around the party again. In particular, he saluted those who voted for the KKE for the first time, because they appreciated its firmness, consistency and selflessness.
• The election results reflect the great discontent and anger of the people against ND and PASOK, the parties that plunged the people into poverty and unemployment during the economic crisis. They express to a great extent the false hope that the new government of SYRIZA might follow a political line in favour of the people. The formation of a government of SYRIZA –either on its own or in a coalition government- will follow the beaten track:  the EU one way street, the tactics of limited demands, retreat and compromise, the commitments to big capital, monopolies, the EU and NATO.
• It is negative that a Nazi party maintains a high percentage amongst the electorate.

Below you can find a  table with the complete results and the full statement of the GS of the CC of the KKE :

 

STATEMENT OF THE GS OF THE CC OF THE Communist Party of Greece Com. DIMITRIS KOUTSOUMPAS ON THE ELECTION RESULTS OF 25th JANUARY 2015

First of all, we would like to salute the thousands of working people in our country, the young people that responded to the appeal of the KKE and contributed to its strengthening today, confirming the positive tendency of forces to rally again around the KKE, the tendency to regain votes. This tendency appeared last year, in the EU parliamentary elections, the regional and municipal elections and continued in all the various struggles of the people, in the labour, trade union and wider people’s movement. 

In particular we would like to salute the people who voted for the KKE for the first time, because they appreciated its firmness, consistency and selflessness. 

\As a whole, the election results reflect the great discontent and anger of the people against ND and PASOK, the parties that plunged the people into poverty and unemployment during the economic crisis. 

Of course they express to a great extent the false hope that the new government of SYRIZA  might follow a political line in favour of the people. 

Based on the official statements and positions of SYRIZA before and during the election campaign, the KKE has assessed that the new composition of the Parliament and the formation of a government of SYRIZA –either on its own or in a coalition government- will follow the beaten track:  the EU one way street, the commitments to big capital, monopolies, the EU and NATO with the negative implications for our people and the country. Once again the people will pay the price for these choices. 

We consider particular negative the fact that a Nazi party, a party with specific criminal murderous activity, a party that was formed by the mechanisms of the system, a party that is clearly against the interests of the people, has received again a significant percentage of the electorate’s votes. 

As whole, we assess that the line of counterattack and rupture with the capitalist path of development, the EU and against the policies that support this path through assimilation and passivity must be strengthened among the people and the movement.  

 The KKE will increase its efforts and initiatives regarding the acute problems of the workers and the people, with our proposals for the relief of the unemployed, the families fro the popular strata, the self-employed, the farmers and the students. 

It will increase its efforts for the regroupment of the labour and people’s movement, the construction of the people’s alliance in order for the people to realize their hopes and expectations and free themselves for the yoke of the monopolies. 

We will fight both inside and outside the parliament, with the strength that the people gave to our party so as to reveal the plans that are being concocted against the people. 

We will fight dynamically as the militant workers’-people’s opposition, as the organizer and the driving force of the workers’ struggle and the people’s alliance for the survival of the people and also for the prospect of a radical overthrow. 

We wish strength to all of you. We continue our struggle! Thank you.

CPI(M) Punjab State Conference

The three day State Conference of CPI (M) Punjab state committee was held at a village Jandiala Manjki (Jalandhar) from 15 to 18th January 2015.   

 

Massive Rally

On the opening day, a massive rally was held with people from all over Punjab converging at the village. The rally was addressed by Prakash Karat, General Secretary, S.Ramachandran Pillai, Member, Polit Bureau, Nilotpal Basu and Joginder Sharma, members of the Central Secretariat addressed the rally in addition to State Secretary, Charan Singh Virdi , and State Secretariat Members Raghunath Singh and Vijay Misra. Earlier Gurchetan Singh Bassi, Chairman , Reception Committee welcomed the leaders and people who came from all over Punjab to the attend  rally. 

While addressing the rally Karat said that much publicized “Acche Din” of Narendra Modi have not come  for the masses of the country but for the corporate houses of India and foreign big companies. The capital of tycoon Gautam Adani has increased by Rs.25,000 crores in seven months. During these seven months nine ordinances including FDI in Insurance sector amending labour laws, amendment to land acquisition act etc. have been issued because the BJP is unable to face the Parliament. The BJP is claiming that they have got absolute majority and support of the people of the India whereas they got just 31% votes of the people, he said. Commenting on the visit of President Obama on the Republic Day, he said that it is a sad day for us that a person who has taken away the sovereignty of many a countries will be our guest on such a pious day.

He lambasted the BJP for following the dictates of RSS, which is spreading communalism all over the country and trying to establish the Hindu Raj at the cost of the minorities. He expressed his great concern over forceful religious conversion.

He declared that CPI(M ) is preparing for a serious struggle against the anti-people, anti-workers, anti-peasant policies of the Modi Goverment. He said that the valiant strike by 7 lakh workers of Coal India is an example for the working class of the whole country. Apprehending big attacks on workers and farmers, Com.Karat called upon the working people to unite to face these attacks.

Gurmit Singh Dhadda, Secretary Reception Committee thanked the leaders, guests and people for making the rally a grand success.

Inauguration

Later, Com. Gurchetan Singh Bassi, Chairman Reception Committee welcomed the central leaders, state leaders and delegates to the historic land of freedom fighters, Gadhri Babas and martyrs. Com. Praksh Karat, inaugurated the Conference in the Com. Sarwan Singh Cheema Hall at Com. Harkishan Singh Surjit Nagar. Analysing the international situation, Com. Karat said that the European nations have still not recovered from the economic and financial crisis of 2008 and the working people are under attack through wage cuts, job cuts and withdrawal of many social expenditures through austerity measures. He alleged that US led NATO attacks on Iraq and Libya have replaced secular governments by Islamic Fundamentalists, and the same situation is being created in Syria. He expressed serious concern over the increasingly offensive posture of US imperialism, especially vis a vis China. Com. Karat said that in Latin American countries left forces are getting strengthened and have rejected the neo-liberal policies.

Commenting on the national situation, Com. Karat  said that after the formation of Modi lead BJP Govt. the working people are under twin attacks – right wing economic attack of corporate sector and attack of Hindutava by RSS and its affiliates. He said that economic policies are being implemented through ordinances. He expressed serious concern over the way in which RSS is penetrating in Education, Arts & Culture and other departments. He condemned the Hidutava, fundamentalist forces for dividing the society in the name of Love Jihad, Gau hatya, forcible religious conversion and targeting of Bangla Deshi immigrants.

Com. Karat emphasised that CPI (M) has the primary responsibility to organise struggles against both the attacks stressing that parties like the Congress and regional parties cannot do it.

A Presidium consisting of Comrades Vijay Misra, Gurchetan Singh Bassi, Bhoop Chand Channo, Gurmesh Singh and Rajinder Kaur Chohka conducted the proceedings.  Com. Ram Singh Noorpuri placed a resolution paying homage to martyrs. The delegates observed two minutes silence to pay tributes to the departed leaders. 

Com. Charan Singh Virdi, State Secretary presented the report of activities of the party since the last conference.  Analysing the situation in the state, he said that the Punjab government is in serious economic crisis with a debt of more than Rs 1,33,00 crores. He said that employees are not getting their salaries on time. Describing the agriculture sector position, he said that 63% people in Punjab live in the villages but agriculture in Punjab is in serious crisis. The share of agriculture sector is declining in the state GDP. Unemployment is increasing and in 2011 it was estimate that 4.5 lakh educated youth were unemployed which included doctors, engineers, and persons with B.Ed, M.Ed, MCA and even Ph.D qualifications. He explained that transport, sand & gravel and cable TV are under the control of mafias patronised by the ruling alliance. The drug mafia is operating with connivance of ruling party politicians, police and  civil administration. Drug addiction has acquired gigantic proportions. Commenting on the industrial sector, Com. Virdi said that during 2011-12, the development rate was 2.38% while at the national level it was 8.49%. Regarding service sector, he said that it has expanded during the last few years. He stressed that attacks on dalits and women are on the rise.

Explaining about the organisation, Com. Virdi said that there is virtual stagnation in the party. The membership of youth and women is very low. Though we have very good percentage of dalit members but it is not reflected in the leadership.  He self critically admitted in the report that the tasks chalked out in the 20th conference could not be satisfactorily implemented .

On 16th January, 2015 the delegates discussed the report presented by the State Secretary. 54 delegates participated in the discussion which continued till 20.30 hours.  The delegates appreciated the self criticism by the leadership in the report on some issues. They criticised the slow progress on the tasks set out in the 20th State conference held at Sangrur. Delegates wanted special attention on enrolling youth and women into the party and stressed the need for struggles on local issues to expand the mass base. Many delegates emphasised the need for political education. Some delegates complained the lack of coordination among the leadership. The delegates criticised the seat adjustment during assembly elections. Many delegates appreciated the coming together of 4 Left Parties in Punjab and the joint campaigns conducted which culminated in the historic 28th November, 2014 rally at Ludhiana.
 

Com Nilotpal Basu, Central Secretariat Member & Co-Incharge Punjab intervened during the debate on the report.  He explained the danger of communalism unleashed by RSS and its affiliates and its impact on the unity of the society.  He cautioned the delegates to be vigilant of the danger and be prepared to fight it out to maintain  the unity of the working class. Com Basu told the house that in Punjab the component of young people in the Party is very low and the number of women party members is negligible. He called upon the delegates to bring more and more youth and women to the party.
 

On 17th January, 2015 Com. Virdi replied to the debate on the report, accepting many suggestions given by the delegates.The report was unanimously adopted the by the house.
The conference unanimously adopted resolutions on: 1)Current Political Situation In Punjab 2) Agricultural Workers 3) Industrial workers, and 4)the Crisis in Agriculture &Condition of Peasantry in Punjab.
 

 Comrade R. L. Moudgil presented the credential report to the house. A total of 173 delegates including 2 foreign fraternal delegates, 33 state committee members and 20 observers participated in the conference.Thus the total strength was 226. The senior most delegate was Comrade Bhagat Singh, aged 86 years  from Hoshiarpur district. He joined the party in 1948. The youngest delegate was Comrade Harinder Singh Bajwa aged 22 years from Sangrur District. Among the delegates 12 were women.
 

 The house unanimously elected a 37-member state committee for the next term  and  12 delegates for  the 21st  Party Congress scheduled to be held at Visakhapatnam from April 14-19, 2015.  The State Committee members in their meeting unanimously re-elected Comrade Charan Singh Virdi as State Secretary.
 

Comrade S. R. Pillai, Polit Bureau Member and incharge of Punjab state committee delivered a very impressive, motivational and educative concluding speech. He congratulated the delegates for unanimously electing  the state committee and delegates for 21st Party Congress. He said that having listened to the discussion on the report, the Central Committee will help the state in overcoming the organisational problems. He explained that the holding of the Party Congress is a most democratic process in our party.  Each and every party member will be asked to give his/her views on the Draft Political Resolution and Political-Tactical Line to be presented in the Party Congress. He informed that an Organisational Plenum, like the Salkia Plenum, will be held shortly after the Party Congress. He also informed that the Political-Tactical Line adopted at the 1978 Jalandhar Congress will be reviewed and finalised in the Party Congress.  He called upon the delegates to study the changes that have taken place in Punjab in different spheres whether it is agriculture  sector, urban sector, dalit, women, agricultural worker and industrial  sector. He asked the Punjab party to prepare their strategy and plan of action and struggles according to the new situation. He expressed the hope that the Punjab Party will march forward unitedly and will come good on the expectations of working people. a

CPIM UTTARAKHAND STATE CONFERENCE

THE fifth state conference of the Uttarakhand CPI(M) concluded on December 29 at Karan Prayag in the Chamoli district of the state. The township situated on the Badrinath highway at the confluence of River Alaknanda and Pindar was decorated with Party flags, posters, festoons and extensive postering and wall writing. The conference began with a massive rally which comprised of peasant men and women, anganwadi and village workers of assorted trades, local lawyers, students and youth.

Party Central Committee members and Central observers, Hannan Mollah and Tapan Sen were in the forefront of the rally which passed through the main street and finally culminated into a public meeting at  the Karan Prayag bus stand. The rallyists were welcomed by the secretary of the reception committee, BPS Rawat. Seated on the dais were Captain Bakhtawar Singh Negi, chairman of the reception committee, Ganga Dhar Nautiyal, Indu Naudiyal, S Sajwan and Rajendra Negi along with Hannan Mollah and Tapan Sen. Rajendra Negi  presided over the meeting. Hannan  Mollah while  addressing the rally spoke about the national  situation specially after the 16th Lok Sabha elections. There is a sharp rightward shift in economic policy. Social oppression, rise of communalism, increasing attacks on minorities, dalits, and women  have become the order of the day, he said. Tapan Sen  spoke about the crisis of capitalism  and how international finance capital has taken over control  of economies all over the globe and how resistance is being offered by various sections of working  people from  Latin America to Europe and in our own country.

CPI(M) state secretary Vijay Rawat greeted the people and congratulated the district committee for hosting the conference and for its excellent preparations. He reminded the delegates that how from  four comrades he had met many years ago, a powerful movement was built in the area. He also recalled his visit during floods and disasters along River Pinder and Mandakini in June 2013 and the work done by comrades providing relief and medical help. The open session concluded with a street play and folk dance of the local people.

The conference began with flag hosting by  Satyaprakash, who is a Party veteran associated with the Party since 1964 and president of Uttarakhand CITU. A total of 150 delegates lined up to pay homage to martyrs of the Party and democratic movements. The venue of the conference  was named after the legendry hero Comrade Chandra Singh Garhwali, who was with the Party since 1964, until his death in 1974. The hall was named after Comrade Binoy Krishna Konar legendary peasant leader of Kisan Sabha. Navratan dwars (nine entrances) were made symbolising the nine founding Polit Bureau members of the Party.

The conference began with the election of the  presidium, credentials committee and minutes committee. A presidium of three including  Ganga Dhar Nautiyal, Indu Naudiyal, Virendra Bhandari conducted the deliberations of the conference. The  credentials committee comprised of Sambhu Mamgain, Kamlesh Gaur, and Anant Akash; the minutes committee comprised of Bhagwan Singh Rana, R P Joshi and Kamlesh Khantwal. The condolence resolution was  moved by G D Nautiyal, following which delegates paid homage by observing two minutes silence in memory of the departed comrades.

The inaugural speech was delivered by Hannan Mollah. He congratulated the Chamoli district committee for the massive rally in which rural workers, peasants, women and sections of the middle classes took part. He spoke about the current political situation and the tasks before the Party and the need for taking up issues that have come after the formation of the new government led by the BJP. The effect of corporate friendly  policies on various sections of the toiling people, the use of the ruling power to divide our society on communal lines are challenges that have to be vigorously met by our Party and the mass organisations.

Vijay Rawat, state secretary, while presenting the report highlighted the main areas of  work undertaken during the last three years after the fourth conference. These included the Vidhan Sabha elections in 2012, intervention of the Party in the aftermath of the Kedarnath floods, and disasters in other areas, Lok Sabha elections, local bodies and Panchayat elections etc. He said that while reviews of each of these activities were conducted from time to time, it was found that the organisational position of the Party could not match the challenges posed by the political situation confronting us in the state. He said that the central task of the Party in the state was to create a political space for itself and expand it. He was hopeful of accomplishing this task, having seen the journey of the Party after separation from Uttar Pradesh – confined to one or two districts at that time, the spread to 10 districts has been accomplished during the last decade. He reported that of 140 branches in the state, 123 had their branch conferences, leading to district conferences in four districts and 12 local conferences. They have taken the  task of organising 22 local committees and two more district committees and a target of crossing a membership figure of two thousand by the time of the next state.

The Party which had been branded as anti-Uttarakhand by the separate state political formations has finally emerged as the main Left party in the state and the credit goes to comrades working at various levels and different mass organisations. The ground work for many decisions which are to be implemented in the coming future was laid before the conference, the time line suggested was by the next mid-term review.

 The secretary  report was very self-critical and shortcomings from the state committee down to the branches were laid bare. It was said that a section of all committees of the Party and mass organisations remained inactive, this inactivity was rooted in the weaknesses at ideological level and in terms of implementing the Party organisational principal of democratic centralism. Although the last mid-term review had pointed out these weaknesses and a Party workshop of leaders of the mass fronts, branch secretaries, local and district committee members was held, the shortcomings still persist and need enhanced efforts at rectification. It was felt that the role of Party fractions has to be emphasized  and  these important committees need to be activated and their responsibilities clearly defined. In the absence of this, the relations between the Party and the mass organisations take questionable turn. Branches and fraction committees should have a special place in our scheme of work. Finally the report suggested that the state centre needs to be strengthened in terms of cadre, funds, and leaders capable of moving in the state.

Out of a delegation strength of 150, 30 delegates took part in the debate and discussion, the contribution of comrades was very enriching and optimistic. Some very important resolutions were passed which definitely will become the basis of coming struggles. Some of them were focused on the issue of migrations and demographic change, loss of life and crops by wild animals, resettlement of disaster-affected people and villages, issues related to revival of IDPL & HMT, implementation of schemes for the disabled, reservation for dalits in the private sector, fight against dilution of labour laws, dilution of Land Acquisition Act and MGNREGA, on fight against communalism, defence of public sector and financial institutions and against atrocities on women. These resolutions were passed with certain suitable amendments.

 The secretary report was unanimously adopted  by the delegates. The report of the credentials committee indicated that no delegate was illiterate, 18 women delegates took part, 23 delegates belong to SC & ST, 11 delegates from OBC and seven delegates were Muslims  .

The outgoing secretary presented a proposal of 25-member state committee of which one position was kept vacant. The proposal also suggested to have three invitees.  A seven-member secretariat was elected with Rajendra Singh Negi as secretary, other members being Vijay Rawat, Bachi Ram Kanswal, Ganga Dhar Nautiyal, Surendra Sajwan,  Indu Naudiyal, and Virendra Bhandari. A delegation of four comrades was elected for the 21st Party   Congress.

Tapan Sen, who has been coming to the state for the  last six years, congratulated the Chamoli committee and the state leadership for holding the  conference successfully and for the huge mass mobilisation for the rally.  He, however, emphasized that the shortcomings mentioned by the secretary need to be overcome. He was confident that the leadership in the state has the capacity to do so. A vigorous attempt should start at the district and local committee levels to ideologically educate the cadre, identify auxiliary committee members and allocate them responsibilities of mass work. He also mentioned and stressed the need for vastly improved and extensive work of mass organisations, correcting the distortions visible in the relationship between the Party and mass organisations. He spoke about the machinations of the present day capitalism and imperialism. He also spoke of how communalism was being encouraged to weaken the struggle against the international finance capital and corporations. Before concluding his speech he expressed his anxiety about the student and youth movement in the state, which he felt was weak at the moment and needed immediate attention.

 On the sidelines and on the last day, meetings with TU, youth, and women delegates were also held by the two Central Committee members. The conference concluded by a short speech on behalf of  Comrade  Virendra Bhandari.

CPI(M) KARNATAKA STATE CONFERENCE

CPI(M) Karnataka State Conference held at Bangalore  on Jan 9,10 and 11. The Conference was inaugurated by Com. Sitaram Yechury. Flag-hoisting was done by Senior comrade K R Sriyan. Conference venue was named after Com. R Umanath and dias named after Com. Savaridas veteran comrade who led communist movement in Kolar Gold fields for decades. Later delegates and Red Volunteers (both men and women in hundreds) marched from Conference venue near to Town Hall to Freedom Park – venue of public meeting.
Com. Sitaram Yechury, Com. M A Baby and Com VJK Nair addressed the gathering. Nine eminent progressive personalities were felicitated. Before the meeting started, overflowing audience consisting of thousands of workers, peasants and party supporters were treated to variety of cultural performances including - 50(to mark party’s golden jubilee) children choir, street play and Dappu folk dance.

Conference was conducted by a Presidium consisting of Com. K R Sriyan, Com. Varalaxmi, Com K Prakash, Com. Siddagangappa. Secretary presented the report and emphasized expanding the movement and taking a leap, by correcting organizational shortcomings. 71 delegates representing over 268 (with 40 women) delegates spoke on report. Conference passed 31 resolutions on issues impacting people in the state. Conference elected a 41-member state committee and 12-delegates for 21st party Congress. Com. G V Sreeramreddy was re-elected as Secretary. Com. K R Sriyan, 81 year-old veteran leader from Dakshina Kannada with distinguished record of over 5 decades to communist movement, desired to be relieved from State Committee and was given a warm farewell.

Several programs for over 3 months before the run-up to conference was the special feature of Karnataka Conference this time. Eight major seminars, a weeklong street-play ‘Nam Kathe’ (our story) jatha with about 25 shows, 5-day cultural programs near conference venue. Central attraction of the cultural programs was a poster exhibition of History of Communist movement in the country and state. Same content was released in book and video forms. Discussion on two films “Bharat Stores’ (on ill-effect of FDI in retail) and “PK’ was held. A poets meet, discussion on ‘education in Mother- tongue’ were also held. Many eminent cultural personalities like Girish Karnad and hundreds of people participated in the programs daily. Another innovative pre-conference propaganda device was 1000 autos fitted with Party flag and Conference Logo & poster, plying throughtout the city.

CPIM District Conferences in Tamil Nadu (PART 1)

Theni

 

 6th conference of CPIM Theni District Committee was held on Dec 22,23,24 at Periyakulam. The Conference was inaugurated by State Secreteriate Member Com. A Lazer MLA. The Conference elected a 35 member district committee which in turn elected Com. D Venkidesan as the District secretary. It also elected a 10 member district secreteriate. 

Thoothukkudy

8th Conference of CPIM Thoothukudy District Committee was held on  at Kovilapatti. The conference was inaugurated by .. The conference elected a  35 member district committee and a 10 member district secreteriate. The conference elected com. K S Arasukannan as the secretary of the District Committee. 

Dharmapuri

 21st Conference of CPIM Dharmapuri District Committee was held on Dec 18,18,20 at Dharmapuri. The conference was inaugurated by .. The conference elected a  39 member district committee and a 10 member district secretariat. The conference elected com A Kumar as the secretary of the District Committee. The Conference also elected 16 delegates to the state conference.

The conference passed important  resolutions on declaring the district drought hit and asked the central & state government to release drought relief fund for the people of the district.

Namakkal

8th Conference of CPIM Namakkal District Committee was held on  at N Varadarajan Nagar, Kumarampalayam  . The conference was inaugurated by state secreteriate Member com. P Shanmughan .. The conference elected a  35 member district committee and a 10 member district secreteriate. The conference elected com. A Rangaswami as the secretary of the District Committee. 

The conference through resolution asked the state government to release immediate releif to farmers who were getting Rs. 800 for 60 Kg for their products is getting only Rs. 200. The conference also asked to divert a certain quantity of water from Mettur dam through thirumanimuttar for the help of farmers.

Erode

10th Conference of CPIM Erode District Committee was held on Dec 28,29  at Gopichettipalayam . The conference was inaugurated by .. The conference elected a  36 member district committee and a 10 member district secreteriate. The conference elected com. S Muthuswami as the secretary of the District Committee. The conference also elected a 7 member delegation to the state conference to be held in Chennai.

Sivagangai

CPIM Sivagangai District conference was held on Dec 17, 18 at Kariakkudi. CPIM State secreteriate member com. K Kanakarajan inaugurated the conference.The conference elected com. M Kanthaswami as the district secretary and elected  31 member district committee an 8 member district secreteriate.  

North Chennai

CPIM North Chennai District conference was held on Dec 13, 14, 16 at Ambathoor. The conference elected a 41 member district committee and 12 member district secreteriate. Com. S Sundarrajan was elected district secretary.