Left Protest On May 14: Demand Repoll in Bengal

The Left parties – Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, All India Forward Bloc and Revolutionary Socialist Party – have issued the following statement:

 

Protest against the Violence and Rigging in West Bengal

 

The last phase of elections for 17 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal has been marked by widespread violence, capture of more than a thousand polling booths, polling agents of opposition parties being driven out and physical attacks on people going to vote in various places.

 

The Trinamool Congress had launched this campaign of terror and intimidation on the eve of the polling.  The entire State machinery and the police have connived in this effort to manipulate the elections.

 

The worst incident took place in Haroa block in the Basirhat  parliamentary constituency where voters going  to the polling booth were fired upon. Four persons suffered bullet injuries and 17 others were injured by sharp weapons. 

 

Some of the worst affected seats are Kolkata North, Barrackpur, Ghatal, Dumdum, Basirhat, Bongaon and Diamond Harbour.

 

Along with the rigging done in the third and fourth phase of polling, this constitutes a brazen attack  on the democratic system.  Despite this violence, people have been braving these attacks and  asserting their right to vote. 

 

It is shocking that the Election Commission has been unable to intervene effectively during this round of polling, even though there was enough forewarning about what was to come, after the  earlier two phases of polling.

 

The Left parties demand that the Election Commission intervene urgently to restore conditions for a free and fair  poll. This can be done only  by ordering a re-poll in all the affected  polling booths in the third, fourth and fifth rounds of polling. It is only by doing this that the sanctity  of the democratic process can be protected. 

 

The Left parties call upon all democratic forces to voice their protest against this assault on democracy in West Bengal. The Left parties will organise protests all over the country on May 14 to demand that re-polling is conducted in all the  affected areas under the strict supervision of the Election Commission.

CPI(M) to ECI : Order Repoll in 800 Booths in Bengal

CPI(M) Polit Bureau members Sitaram Yechury and S. Ramachandran Pillai, met the Chief Election Commissioner today and expressed their displeasure over the failure of the ECI to respond adequately to the widespread violence and mayhem witnessed during the last phase of polling in West Bengal today. Terming it as “unfortunate”, they said that “the Election Commission and its apparatus” remained “mute spectators watching this mockery of democracy”.  They charged the ECI of remaining a “helpless bystander” and not discharging its Constitutional mandate of conducting  a free and fair election.

The delegation provided information available till 3.00 p.m regarding 465 polling booths in 14 parliamentary constituencies which were rocked by violence, booth capturing, rigging, intimidation of voters and driving out polling agents of parties opposed to the ruling TMC.  Subsequently, reports also came in of around 350 other booths were polling was rigged.

The Party has demanded re-polling in over 800 booths with “adequate arrangements for protection of the voters which includes the deployment of central forces, video surveillance of the booths, strict instructions to the concerned officials to take prompt action against those disrupting the conduct of free and fair elections, amongst others.”

CPI-M protests against Pankti Bheda

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has said that the State government should pass an ordinance banning the practices of Pankti Bheda (separate sitting arrangements for Brahmins during lunch) and Made Snana (where devotees of other castes roll on the leftovers of lunch by Brahmins) in temples in the State.

The party stage dharna to highlight the “discriminatory practices”, in Udupi and Mangalore on Monday.

In Udupi, the party launched an indefinite dharna near the Service Bus Stand here to protest against the ‘Pankti Bheda’ practiced at Sri Krishna Math/Temple, here. At the protest meet, G.V. Sriram Reddy, Secretary of the State unit of CPI(M), said that if the State government did not immediately issue an ordinance, the party would intensify its agitation on these issues. He said the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government was in favour of these practices and defended them. But it was surprising that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who spoke openly against discrimination, should remain mum on these issues, which perpetuated the discrimination. He said that an assistant lecturer of School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Vanita Shetty, was prevented from having lunch and asked to leave the dinning hall of the Sri Krishna Math/Temple in full public view on April 15, because she was not a Brahmin.

Vishwesha Tirtha Swami of Pejawar Math went all around the country speaking against the caste system. But he had done nothing to prevent caste discrimination which was taking place at the Sri Krishna Math/Temple here. The Pejawar seer should take steps to see that people of all castes had their meal together in the Krishna Math/Temple without any discrimination. Political parties were silent on this latest incident of ‘Pankti Bheda’ because of vote-bank politics, Mr. Reddy said.

In Mangalore, the party activists staged a dharna in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner. Addressing a gathering K. Yadav Shetty, CPI(M) candidate in the Lok Sabha elections and general secretary of the district unit of Karnataka Prantha Raita Sangha, said the party wanted to know why the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was not talking about “discrimination in serving food”. He said that senior Congress leader B. Janardhana Poojary took some progressive steps in Gokarnanatheswara temple at Kudroli but was not raising his voice against pankti bedha .

Vasantha Achary, a member of the district secretariat of the party, said that made snana practised at Kukke Subrahmanya temple and at some other temples should be stopped. He said that pankti bedha was the root cause for made snana .

Raichur District Committee of Communist Party of India - Marxist  staged a demonstration outside the office of Deputy Commissioner on Monday demanding the government to ban ‘Pankti bheda’ (separate seating arrangements for Brahmins and non-Brahmins while serving food). Condemning the recent incident where Vanita Shetty, an assistant lecturer at the School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal, was allegedly told to leave the dinning hall meant for Brahmins in Sri Krishna Math. The agitating activists demanded that those who practiced caste-based discrimination be booked. A memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister was submitted to the office of the Deputy Commissioner.

In Kolar Members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office  demanding a ban on the practice of ‘pankti bheda’ in Sri Krishna Temple, Udupi. Led by CPI(M) district committee secretary Gandhinagar Narayanaswamy and State committee member G. Arjunan, the activists raised slogans against the inhuman practice at the Udupi temple.

Left parties have a greater role to play in divided Andhra Pradesh

At a time when corporatisation of politics has become a bitter reality and crony capitalism is perceived a looming threat, the Left parties do have a greater role in fighting the unwelcome trend. The current election is a do-or-die battle for the Left movement in the State, says CPI (M) State secretary B.V. Raghavulu in a special interview to The Hindu given on ‘May Day’.

Can the shrinking political space be taken as a barometer of the acceptance level of the Left parties’ ideology?

The Left parties are indeed yielding space to others. The flexible labour policies, which the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party are advocating and have even included in their respective manifestos, will deal a deathblow to workers’ basic rights. It is a survival issue for the working classes. However, we stick to our ideology and believe that it will be ever relevant.

Bifurcation has happened. Now, what is the political space available for the Left parties in the two States?

The Left parties have always been the agenda-setters in the State. The communist movement is always strong in Khammam and Nalgonda districts of the unified State. When they have become part of Telangana, the Left has a great role to play in that State. In Seemandhra, our role is always marginal in the last four decades and it continues to be the same. If we do not strengthen our position at least now, we will not be able to play any role in future.

The corporate world is dictating terms in the current elections. What kind of threat do you foresee for the democracy if the trend continues?

Corporatisation of politics is an offshoot of liberalisation policy. The political parties are dependent more on the business world to get going. Crony capitalism that the country is witnessing now certainly makes life easy for the corporate world and difficult for the common man. Post-elections, the working classes will see more attacks and suppression of their rights.

Why have you chosen to contest in Tirupati (SC) Lok Sabha seat?

Tirupati has a prominent place across the world. Post-bifurcation, all eyes are on Tirupati as a growing city in Seemandhra. Apart from the Tirumala temple, it is already an educational hub and the region is poised to develop industrially, with a couple of ports and a 30,000 MW power plant coming up in Nellore district (coming under Tirupati LS constituency). There is a huge Dalit population, especially the downtrodden Yanadi tribal community. The party has a better opportunity to serve the working classes and the poor here.

Why did you choose to ally with Jai Samaikyandhra Party (JSP)? How is the alliance doing?

Before the birth of JSP, the CPI (M) was determined to go alone in the elections, as the TDP looked the BJP way and the CPI supported the Congress. When the journey is lonely, why not take the company of a like-minded ‘non-Congress non-BJP’ outfit? The agreement is complex, but the alliance is smooth. We will definitely leave our mark.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)

CPI-M releases list of six more LS candidates

CPI(M) today released a list of six more candidates for LokSabha polls in Bihar, Maharashtra and Punjab, taking the total number of its nominees to 94.

 The party would contest four seats -- Ujiarpur, Darbhanga, West Champaran and Khagaria -- in Bihar. It also announced one more name each in Maharashtra and Punjab, taking the totalnumber of its candidates to four and three in the two statesrespectively.

In Bihar, Ramdeo Verma would contest from Ujiarpur, Hriday Narayan Yadav from Darbhanga, Prabhuraj Narayan Rao from West Champaran and Jagadish Chandra Basu from Khagaria.

Com. D B Naik

In Maharashtra, CPI(M) has fielded D B Naik, a KisanSabha activist, from Hingoli, besides contesting from Palghar (ST),Thane, Dindori(ST) and Nashik, the names for which weredeclared earlier.

The  party has put up educationist Joginder  Singh Aulakh from Sangrur. It is also contesting the LokSabha seats of Ludhiana and Anandpur Sahib.

CPI(M) is committed for reconstruction of Telangana

The CPI(M) had taken an ideological stand against State bifurcation, but now that the State is divided, the party does not want to dwell on the past. Elections are the mandate for the future and the CPI(M) is committed for reconstruction of Telangana. 

Still hopeful of non-Congress and BJP alliances, CPI(M) Telangana State committee secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram says that their intention is not to let BJP and Congress to consolidate. He unveils the party’s electoral strategy in an interview with The Hindu.

When you are open to alliances with other political parties, why can’t the two Left parties work together and consolidate your vote share and thereby electoral prospects?

All the Left front parties, including CPI,CPI(M), Forward Block, Revolutionary Socialist Party at the all-India level resolved to work on a common principle of anti BJP and anti-Congress plank. We are bound by the same principle in Telangana and Andhra regions. But the CPI deviated from this principle in Telangana by going with Congress, as they both supported bifurcation. But we are still optimistic of working with CPI if it reconsiders its truck with Congress.

Are you seriously considering an alliance with Telangana Rashtra Samithi ?

Even if we forge an alliance with TRS, it is in conformity with our all India principle. TRS has no truck with Congress. TDP is more or less allied with the BJP.

But then there is speculation that the TRS may have post-poll alliance with BJP?

It is not for us to think which party would go which way after the elections. All regional parties are opportunistic and play their cards in what they think to the best interests of their region. Our paramount interest now is not to let BJP and Congress consolidate their vote share. If parties which seek anti-Congress and anti-BJP vote from people and go back on that after elections, they will be accountable to their voters.

You have only one legislator in the present Assembly. What is your strategy to increase your strength?

This is a difficult time for us, but we are working doubly hard to widen our base. Despite Telangana agitation, we could consolidate and expand our base among panchayats, anganwadi workers, tribal population by campaigning for implementation of Forest Act, SC, ST sub-plan. We did take a stand against bifurcation and the elections followed soon after division. Past is past. Congress and TRS are seeking votes for achieving Telangana. It’s time to look ahead. We have a clear strategy for comprehensive development of Telangana with social justice.

How many seats you propose to contest ?

We have already announced candidates for 17 Assembly and three Lok Sabha seats. We are also interested in Mahbubabad LS seat. But if there is alliance with TRS, CPI, then these seats may come down.

What is your election manifesto for Telangana?

We have a common manifesto for entire country. But we will bring out an additional booklet for Telangana with focus on welfare, social justice, comprehensive development and cooperation between the two Telugu states for mutual advantage. Telangana would need more welfare spending . Social justice does not mean giving one chief minister post or MP seat. Extending health, education, irrigation, drinking water to the downtrodden in remote areas alone will bring equity and social justice.

Is Left ideology losing its sheen with parties like Lok Satta and Aam Admi Party taking the new political space?

On the contrary, Left parties will play a significant role as people’s frustration and disenchantment with economic reforms is evident now. The 2008 economic downturn, declining growth, increase in unemployment, price rise made people question the present policies. Left parties know how to channel people’s anger to get tangible policy corrections.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)

CPI announces candidates for nine constituencies in Tamil Nadu

The State unit of the CPI on Wednesday announced candidates for nine constituencies, including three reserved constituencies, for the Lok Sabha polls.As per the list released by the party’s State secretary, D. Pandian, sitting MP P. Lingam, elected from Tenkasi Reserved constituency in the 2009 polls will again enter the fray from there. The party has fielded G. Palanisami, a four-time MLA and the party’s former Legislative Party leader, in Nagapattinam (Reserved) constituency. Senior leader K. Subbarayan, who was elected from the Coimbatore constituency in the 2004 polls, will contest from the Tirupur constituency. Former MLA A.S. Kannan is the candidate for Tiruvallur (Reserved) constituency. For Tuticorin, the party has fielded its district secretary A. Mohanraj. 

Ku. Balasubramaniam, a leader of the Tamil Nadu Government employees, is the candidate for Cuddalore constituency. S. Krishnan and R.D. Umamaheswari will contest from Sivaganaga and Ramanathapuram constituencies. R. Viswanathan, a minister in the R.V. Janakiraman’s cabinet in Puducherry, is the candidate for Puducherry.

CPI(M) releases candidates list for Tamil Nadu

 

The CPI(M) announced candidates for nine Lok Sabha constituencies it will be contesting in Tamil Nadu. The candidates include two women Com. U. Vasuki for Chennai North and S. Tamilselvi for Thanjavur — and two Dalit candidates. CPIM  state secretary G. Ramakrishnan said his party had fielded a Dalit candidate K. Samuel Raj for Virudhunagar general constituency. For Villupuram reserved constituency the candidate is G. Anandan. The party has renominated P.R. Natarajan from the Coimbatore constituency. He won it in the 2009 polls. A.V. Bellarmine, who won the Nagercoil constituency in the 2004 election, is again contesting from Kanayakumari constituency. The candidate for Madurai is P. Vikraman. The candidates for Tiruchi and Dindigul are S. Sridhar and N. Pandi respectively. 

CPIM and CPI to contest 9 Seats each in Tamilnadu

CPI(M) and the CPI on Friday announced they would contest nine seats each in the  2014 Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April 24th in Tamil Nadu and decided against supporting the AIADMK, the BJP, the DMK and the Congress in the remaining 22 seats.

The CPI(M) would contest from Coimbatore, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Chennai North, Dindigul, Trichy, Virudhunagar, Villupuram and Thanjavur constituencies.

CPI state Secretary D. Pandian and CPI (M) State Secretary G. Ramakrishnan told the press in Chennai after both the parties identified the seats. Senior CPI Leader Com. A Nallakannu and CPIM CC Member T K Rangarajan were also present during the press conference.

The CPI would contest from Tenkasi, Nagapattinam, Puducherry, Tiruppur, Sivaganga, Dharmapuri, Cuddalore, Tiruvallur and Tuticorin constituencies, they said.

Replying to a query, Mr. Pandian and Mr. Ramakrishnan said the Left parties would consider supporting other parties, including AAP, whoever approached them. While the CPI(M) would release its candidates list on March 16, the CPI would release its list the following day, they said. Both the parties would be expanding their presence in this election contesting together 18 seats as against three each in 2009. The CPI and the CPI(M), which had fought the last election in alliance with the AIADMK, won one seat each.

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