Week Long Protest Campaign by Six Left Parties

 

A meeting of six Left parties – Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Revolutionary Socialist Party, All India Forward Bloc, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)-Liberation and Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) was held today at New Delhi. They have issued the following statement:

 

With the advent of the Modi government in power there is a concerted rightwing offensive fueled by the corporate-Hindutva forces. There is a growing onslaught on the people through the imposition of neo-liberal policies which is going to adversely impact the livelihood of the people. There is no respite for the people from price rise, unemployment and corruption.

 

The Hindutva forces are resorting to aggressive communal activities. The Modi government’s patronage of the RSS and its outfits is aimed at communalising the educational, social and cultural institutions. There is rise in communal tensions in different parts of the country.

 

The Left parties decided to conduct a week long protest campaign between December 8 to 14, 2014 on the following issues:

 

(i)               Against steps to  curtail and dilute the MNREGA

(ii)            Curb price rise; control exorbitant price of medicines and drugs

(iii)           No increased FDI in insurance.

(iv)          Take firm action to unearth black money

(v)             Stop infiltration of the RSS and Hindutva ideology in education, public broadcasting media and other institutions of the State.

(vi)          Stop the “love jihad” hate campaign and other forms of communal propaganda

(vii)        Stop attacks on minorities and their rights

(viii)     Fight violence against women and all forms of gender oppression

(ix)          Fight against atrocities on dalits and caste oppression

 

 

Those who attended the meeting were:

 

Debabrata Biswas {AIFB}; Kshiti Goswami & Manoj Bhattacharya {RSP}; Swapan Mukherjee & Kavita Krishnan {CPI(ML)-Liberation}; Manik Mukherjee & Ranjit Dhar {SUCI(C)}, A.B. Bardhan & D Raja {CPI} and Prakash Karat & S Ramachandran Pillai {CPI(M)}.

Polit Bureau Communiqué

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi on October 13 & 14, 2014. It has issued the following statement:

Jammu & Kashmir Floods

The floods in Jammu & Kashmir have created unprecedented devastation. Even five weeks after the disaster people in many areas have not received any relief. The compensation announced by the state government of Rs. 70,000 for a completely destroyed pucca house and Rs. 15,000 for partially damaged houses is too inadequate. It is essential that the J & K floods be declared a national calamity and the relief and rehabilitation package be decided accordingly. The CPI(M) decided to complete its fund collection for the relief and rehabilitation work. Rs. 50 lakhs have been raised so far.

Cyclone Hudhud

The Polit Bureau called for effective relief and rehabilitation measures for all those affected by the Hudhud cyclone which has struck three districts of Andhra Pradesh – Vishakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram and Srikakulam – along with Ganjam district in Odisha. The Central government must assist in all possible ways to see that communication and infrastructure are restored and for a complete return to normal life.

Outcome of PM Visit to US

The Polit Bureau took serious note of the fact that the United States has sought to pressurize India on the Indian Patent law and Intellectual Property Rights policy. It also sought the dilution of the civil nuclear liability law of the country. Both these are reflected in the joint statement issued by Prime Minister Modi and President Obama. The joint statement announced the decision to set up an Intellectual Property Working Group. The US pharmaceutical companies have been demanding that India dilute its present patent regime which has utilised the flexibilities provided in the TRIPS agreement. It is this which helps to keep drug prices low for the people in India.

The Polit Bureau demanded that the Modi Government not resile from the existing patent law and IPR regime. No changes should be brought without public discussion and being debated in parliament.

The joint statement also provides for setting up Contact Groups to discuss liability issues in the nuclear reactors sales. The Polit Bureau reiterated that the provisions of the civil nuclear liability law are in the interests of the safety and security of the people of India and should not be diluted in any way.

The Polit Bureau strongly opposed the decision to go in for renewal of the Indo-US Defence Framework Agreement for another 10 years. Such a long term defence collaboration agreement with the United States is uncalled for and is not in the interests of India’s strategic autonomy and independent foreign policy.

Reduce Oil Prices

There has been a sharp fall in the international prices of oil. At present, crude oil price has gone below $ 90 per barrel. Despite this, the Modi government has not reduced the prices of diesel at any stage. The retail price of petrol also needs to be reduced further.

The Polit Bureau demands an immediate cut in the petroleum prices. 

Curtailment of MNREGA

The Modi government has taken steps to curtail and restrict the rural employment guarantee Act. The government move is to restrict the employment guarantee scheme to selected districts and blocks. This will go against the Act which provides for universal coverage in the rural areas. Secondly, the move is to change the ratio between material and wages. This will bring down the wage component and reduce the availability of the scheme and open the way for contractors.

The Polit Bureau reiterated the call to conduct a countrywide campaign against the moves to curtail the employment guarantee Act and calls upon the Party and various mass organisations to conduct struggles to see that the scheme is implemented in full in the rural areas.

Review Report

The Polit Bureau finalised the draft Review Report on the Political-tactical line. This will be placed for discussion in the next meeting of the Central Committee to be held from October 26 to 29, 2014.

CPI (M) candidates for Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha Elections, 2014

Sl No	District	Name of the constituency	Name of the candidate
1	Solapur	Solapur City Central	Narsayya Adam
2	Palghar	Dahanu (ST)	Barkya Mangat
3	Palghar	Vikramghad (ST)	Ratan Budhar
4	Palghar	Palghar (ST)	Chandrakant Vartha
5	Palghar	Boisar (ST)	Heena Vanga
6	Thane	Shahapur (ST)	Suresh Tandel
7	Nashik	Kalvan (ST)	J. P. Gavit
8	Nashik	Dindori (ST)	Adv. Dattu Padavi
9	Nashik	Nashik West	D. L. Karad
10	Jalna	Partur	Maroti Khandare
11	Nanded	Kinwat	Arjun Ade
12	Beed	Parali	Uttam Mane
13	Parbhani	Pathri	Vilas Babar
14	Nandurbar	Shahada (ST)	Jaysingh Mali
15	Ahmednagar	Akole (ST)	Namdev Bhangare
16	Kolhapur	Ichalkaranji	Sada Malabade
17	Kolhapur	Hatkanangale (SC)	Bharma Kamble
18	Mumbai	Bhandup West	Hemkant Samant
19	Mumbai	Andheri West	K. Narayanan
20	Chandrapur	Ballarpur	Rameshchander Dahiwade

Reduce Diesel Prices

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) registers its protest over the refusal of the government and the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to reduce the price of diesel, despite the fall in crude oil prices in the international market.
Price of Brent crude, the global oil price benchmark has fallen below $92 a barrel.  It is reported that the OMCs are earning Rs. 1.90 on every litre of diesel as `over recovery’.
While the government had directed OMCs to increase 50 paise per litre every month from January 2013, no reduction has been done in diesel price despite the fall in crude oil prices.  Through this inaction, government is burdening the people in general and especially the farmers, small scale industries and the goods transport sector.
The CPI(M) demands that the price of diesel be immediately reduced  considering the big fall in crude oil prices.

NIA Investigate Khagragarh Blast

The explosion in Khagragarh, near Burdwan town in West Bengal, which killed two persons involved in bomb making, is a very serious issue.  There are sufficient grounds to believe that extremist elements are involved.  The concerned house is owned by a Trinamool Congress worker and it is alleged that a TMC office used to function from the garage in the house.
The way in which the Burdwan Superintendent of Police and other state police officials have dealt with the incident has raised doubts and questions.
It is essential, therefore, that the investigation into the incident be handed over to the National Intelligence Agency as this concerns the country’s security. No effort should be spared to uncover the forces behind the bomb-making centre.

Khagragarh Blast Incident Indicates the Chances of Coming More Violent and Difficult Days: Biman Basu

 Trinamool Congress and Soft Communalism

The Khagragarh blast incident indicates the chances of coming more violent and difficult days in the state, and the ruling Trinamool Congress can't overrule its own responsibility for creating the space for such a grave situation in West Bengal, says Left Front Chairman Biman Basu while addressing the press. He clearly stated that the Left Front has time again alerted about the rise of communal forces in the state but for Trinamool Congress and its soft communal attitude has provided necessary space to both forms of communalism in the state that finally allows the insurgent forces to do enough massacre in the state. Left Front is of strong opinion that the rise of majority communalism also aggravates the rise of minority fundamentalism

Police to Suppress the TMC Association Evidence

On the issue of mopping up evidences of TMC association with the blast incident Biman Basu while expressing serious concern said that 'the ruling Trinamool Government is trying to mop up all evidences that establish close TMC association is a matter of great concern. We the Left Front strongly demand immediate revelation of all facts and information. We want all nodal Government investigating agencies to work independently without any obstacle.

Trinamool Association with the Incident

The more danger fact is to note that the incident has a connection with the ruling Trinamool Congress. The owner and the tenant all are politically associated with Trinamool Congress. Trinamool Congress has its office at the ground floor of that building; the party signboard was hastily removed immediate after the blast. Moreover the District Police administration has initially occluded the NIA officers to investigate the place. Police even intercepted the working Journalists and Media Persons to organize their work. The people of West Bengal must know what for Trinamool Congress and Police are creating obstacle to the NIA investigation. Why the Government is sitting so idle? It is known fact that Trinamool Congress MP has a direct connection with Fundamentalist Jamat. We therefore demand the revelation of all facts regarding Khagragarh blast

SFI on ongoing student movement in Himachal Pradesh

Central Executive committee of the Students’ Federation of India salutes the student community of Himachal and the state unit of SFI for showing extreme courage and conviction while facing most direct, extreme and brutal state repression. Chhatra Ekta Manch had given a call for state wide protest demo call in front of the HP secretariat at Chota Shimla today for a host of burning demands including roll back of the fee hike, against revocation of the SCA elections, roll back of the RUSA system and removal of the VC of HPU. As if complete disregard to the demands and sentiments of the student community, as well the wider mass was not enough; the police was misused by the state government to stop students who were on their way from the remote districts to participate in the rally in Shimla. Many buses filled with students were halted, many students were even arrested, and many others had to spend night in buses. Veerbhadra Government made every possible effort to stop student from joining the protest. In spite of every such attempt, 4000 strong protest demonstration was organised in Shimla and various road blockades were organised across the state.

Student movement of Himachal is giving a befitting reply to the neoliberal designs of the ruling classes who want to make education a commodity and has become a source of inspiration for the student movement in the entire country. In today’s political context in our country, whether be it in Jadavpur or be it in Himachal; students are on move- Students are on move demanding better and inclusive education, demanding democracy and opposing every single injustice. CEC pledges to carry forward the flame of our times with more vigour and more strength.

Left Front Calls for Intense Movement against the Trinamool State Government

 As per the schedule, the 22nd September Left Front rally has taken the charge of the city of Kolkata as a challenger to the State Government on Saradha Scam and Jadavpur University Massacre. The huge rally from Ramlila Park, Moulali to Park Circus Maidan has aptly clarified that the movement would continue to awaken the sleeping State Government. The state Left Front has committed to stand by the Taxi Drivers’ movement and the movement of Jadavpur University students against molestation of the lady student and mid-night Police attack on students within the campus.

Surjya Kanta Mishra

While addressing the crowd at Park Circus, Party Polit Bureau member Surjya Kanta Mishra slammed the Government saying that ‘we want the revelation of the ultimate in Saradha scam. The Chief Minister may be fond of watching TV serial but we want speedy end of the thriller serial continuing on Saradha Scam. The movement however would continue until all investors and agents get their money back’.

Speaking on Jadavpur massacre, he stated that ‘The Vice-Chancellor bears a single qualification that he belongs to Trinamool and nothing more than that. There is no other solution left beyond the removal of this Vice-Chancellor’.

On Saradha-Trinamool association he said that ‘not just Saradha scam, many chit fund companies have looted crores of money from various districts. The State Government has to list them up and take initiative to return the money. But SIT of the State Government has instead tried to cover the Trinamool leaders. CBI can call any person whosoever, Rabin Deb or even me or any Left Leader, we have no objection. We want confiscation of all involved Trinamool leaders’ property to pay the small investors back. The Left Front Government in such cases had have confiscated all such properties to pay the investors back’.

On Taxi Drivers’ movement he said that ‘only billionaires are good to this Government and all Taxi drivers and Minibus workers are nasty people. So movement is the only option’.

Biman Basu

Addressing the rally the Left Front Chairman Biman Basu stated that ‘Trinamool id perpetrating anarchy everywhere from Nabanna to all educational institutions. Refuting University autonomy, Trinamool has nominated their own people and closed ones in everywhere setting up a party-ruling in the state. The students for this reason have expressed no confidence on the new investigating committee on Jadavpur molestation case. The Vice-Chancellor himself has perpetrated the crime of mid-night attack on students’.

On Trinamool leader and Mamata Banerjee’s relation Abhishek Banerjee’s recent comment on JU movement as only for narcotics and liqour, Biman Basu slapped by saying that ‘this sort of comment can only come from those who take narcotics and himself is drunkard’.

Basu also said that ‘why now the self-proclaimed symbol of honesty is listening such a slogan “Gali gali mein shor hai, Trinamool Congress chor hai”. The State Government even opposed CBI investigation after more than 17 lakhs of people have lost their hardened money. The State Government has spent Rs. 11 crores to halt the CBI investigation because the ruling Trinamool’s MPs, MLAs, and Ministers’ are all involved in this biggest scam’.

On Taxi Drivers’ movement, Biman Basu said that ‘their demands are all legitimate and the Government is not even listening to them at all. So the movement is the only option’.

Left Front Calls for Intense Movement against the Trinamool State Government

The Rally Demands Immediate Removal of JU Vice-Chancellor: Left Front

Taxi-Drivers’ Movement will Continue until the State Government Accepts the Demands: Left Front

As per the schedule, the 22nd September Left Front rally has taken the charge of the city of Kolkata as a challenger to the State Government on Saradha Scam and Jadavpur University Massacre. The huge rally from Ramlila Park, Moulali to Park Circus Maidan has aptly clarified that the movement would continue to awaken the sleeping State Government. The state Left Front has committed to stand by the Taxi Drivers’ movement and the movement of Jadavpur University students against molestation of the lady student and mid-night Police attack on students within the campus.
Surjya Kanta Mishra
While addressing the crowd at Park Circus, Party Polit Bureau member Surjya Kanta Mishra slammed the Government saying that ‘we want the revelation of the ultimate in Saradha scam. The Chief Minister may be fond of watching TV serial but we want speedy end of the thriller serial continuing on Saradha Scam. The movement however would continue until all investors and agents get their money back’.
Speaking on Jadavpur massacre, he stated that ‘The Vice-Chancellor bears a single qualification that he belongs to Trinamool and nothing more than that. There is no other solution left beyond the removal of this Vice-Chancellor’.
On Saradha-Trinamool association he said that ‘not just Saradha scam, many chit fund companies have looted crores of money from various districts. The State Government has to list them up and take initiative to return the money. But SIT of the State Government has instead tried to cover the Trinamool leaders. CBI can call any person whosoever, Rabin Deb or even me or any Left Leader, we have no objection. We want confiscation of all involved Trinamool leaders’ property to pay the small investors back. The Left Front Government in such cases had have confiscated all such properties to pay the investors back’.
On Taxi Drivers’ movement he said that ‘only billionaires are good to this Government and all Taxi drivers and Minibus workers are nasty people. So movement is the only option’.
Biman Basu
Addressing the rally the Left Front Chairman Biman Basu stated that ‘Trinamool id perpetrating anarchy everywhere from Nabanna to all educational institutions. Refuting University autonomy, Trinamool has nominated their own people and closed ones in everywhere setting up a party-ruling in the state. The students for this reason have expressed no confidence on the new investigating committee on Jadavpur molestation case. The Vice-Chancellor himself has perpetrated the crime of mid-night attack on students’.
On Trinamool leader and Mamata Banerjee’s relation Abhishek Banerjee’s recent comment on JU movement as only for narcotics and liqour, Biman Basu slapped by saying that ‘this sort of comment can only come from those who take narcotics and himself is drunkard’.
Basu also said that ‘why now the self-proclaimed symbol of honesty is listening such a slogan “Gali gali mein shor hai, Trinamool Congress chor hai”. The State Government even opposed CBI investigation after more than 17 lakhs of people have lost their hardened money. The State Government has spent Rs. 11 crores to halt the CBI investigation because the ruling Trinamool’s MPs, MLAs, and Ministers’ are all involved in this biggest scam’.
On Taxi Drivers’ movement, Biman Basu said that ‘their demands are all legitimate and the Government is not even listening to them at all. So the movement is the only option’.

22nd September, 2014 - See more at: http://www.cpimwb.org.in/current_topic_details.php?topic_id=828#sthash.qHNB7Esw.dpuf

CPIM Candidates for Haryana Assembly Election 2014

List of constituencies and candidates nominated by CPI(M):
S.No. Constituency District Candidate
1. Kalanwali(R) Sirsa Chain Singh
2. Ratia(R) Fatehabad Dalbir Singh
3. Fatehabad ,, Mohan Lal Narang
4. Nalwa Hisar Shakuntala Jakhar(W)
5. Barwala ,, Raju Barwala
6. Hansi ,, Ram Avtar
7. Bhiwani Bhiwani Vinod Kumar
8. Kalanaur(R) Rohtak Sonu Kalanaur
9. Julana Jind Parkash Chander
10. Jind ,, Ramesh Chander
11. Uchana ,, Jodha Ram Sarpanch
12. Safidon ,, Sushil Kumar
13. Gharonda Karnal Jagmal Singh
14. Ladwa Kurukshetra Bhim Singh Saini
15. Kaithal Kaithal Prem Chand
16. Naraingarh Ambala Tek Chand Saini
17. Panchkula Panchkula Randhir Singh Sathi

Press Communiqué of CPIM PB

 

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi from September 10 to 12, 2014. It has issued the following statement:

 

J&K Floods

 

The Polit Bureau expressed its deep concern at the severe and widespread floods which have affected Jammu & Kashmir. The floods have resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives, widespread destruction of property and displacement of lakhs of people from their homes.

 

Much more needs to be done. The army and the paramilitary forces have been working round the clock. The state administration has been unable to cope with the situation. Even now, after relief and rescue efforts, thousands are marooned, there is acute shortage of food and essential commodities and breakdown in communications. The Central Government must step up the relief and rescue operations through various agencies.

 

The Polit Bureau reiterated the call already given to its Party units to collect money for the relief and rehabilitation work.

 

Modi Government’s Decisions

 

The Polit Bureau strongly criticized the decision of the Modi Government to wind up the Planning Commission. This decision is in conformity with the neo-liberal view that there is no need for planning in a market-oriented economy. The end of the Planning Commission symbolizes the dominance of finance capital-corporate interests over the economy.

 

The Polit Bureau strongly opposed the decision of the government to go in for large scale disinvestment of shares in Coal India, NHPC and ONGC. Through this offloading of shares, the government expects to realize Rs. 44,000 crores. This will be the single largest disinvestment of shares ever. The Modi Government is embarking on this massive disinvestment not only to raise funds to bridge its fiscal deficit but to fulfill its ideological commitment against the public sector.

 

The Polit Bureau calls upon all democratic forces to unitedly resist this attack on the public sector.

 

Tribal Rights on Land

 

The CPI(M) strongly protests against the moves by the Government to sabotage and subvert the rights of tribal people guaranteed under the constitutional and legal framework. Taken together the provisions of the Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, the Forest Rights Act and PESAA provide a certain amount of protection against corporate land grab of tribal land. For example no project can be implemented on tribal land in Fifth Schedule areas without the consent of the tribal gram sabha.  This right was upheld by the Supreme Court of India in the Vedanta case. The Modi Government wants to take away this right. Since it will require amendments to the law, there are efforts to dabble with the Rules to make this utterly illegal and unjust action possible. Already in the name of linear projects, the rights were diluted by the then UPA Government. Now the Modi Government wants to take this blatantly anti-tribal step further.

 

Further, the Environment Ministry has given environmental clearances for 240 of the 325 projects which were awaiting clearance. This will involve diversion of 7122 hectares of forest land for the projects in coal, mining, power etc. Here too, the rights of the tribal people are involved.

 

The CPI(M) will work along with tribal organizations to organize mass movements to protect tribal rights on these and related issues.

 

Communal Campaign

 

The Polit Bureau condemned the BJP-RSS communal campaign in Uttar Pradesh. The spurious issue of “love jihad” is being used by the Hindutva forces to cause communal tensions and polarization. In the campaign for the bye-elections in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP MP Adithyanath has been using inflammatory communal propaganda.

 

This comes in the wake of the statements by the RSS Chief, Mohan Bhagwat, that all Hindustanis should be called Hindus and that the identity of Indians is Hindutva.

 

The UP state government should initiate firm action against those indulging in communal hate speech and creating communal tensions. The Election Commission should have acted promptly in prohibiting Adithyanath from making speeches during the election campaign. It has confined the action to directing the administration to file a FIR against him.

 

Trinamul-Chit Fund Nexus

 

The CBI investigation into the Saradha chit fund scam is uncovering the nexus between the Trinamul Congress leadership and the chit fund owner. The involvement of the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other key leaders of the Trinamul Congress are coming into focus. The state government is making brazen efforts to protect the guilty and to hamper the investigations. The Supreme Court directed CBI investigation should proceed without hindrance so that all those involved in this criminal nexus are pinpointed and held accountable. In the meantime, the Central agencies should step in and ensure that the properties and assets of the Saradha group of companies are confiscated and used to compensate lakhs of victims of the scam. Government funds should not be spent for this purpose.

 

Political Review

 

The Polit Bureau conducted an in-depth review of the political-tactical line which the Party has been pursuing. A review report will be placed in the next Central Committee meeting. This is a preparatory step towards preparing the Draft Political Resolution for the Party Congress to be held next year.

 

Party Congress

 

It has been decided to hold the 21^st Congress of the Party at Vishakhapatnam from April 14 to 19, 2015.