CPIM cadres hurt in lathicharge by Tamil Nadu Police

Seven CPI(M) workers including Tiruvottiyur municipal chairman R. Jayaraman were injured when the police lathicharged them after they staged a roadblock on Tiruvottiyur High Road to demand that roads be relaid in the municipality. The CPI(M) cadres led by north Chennai district secretary T.K. Shanmugham blocked the road near Ajax bus terminus and shouted slogans demanding that the government relay the damaged roads in the three wards of western Tiruvottiyur.

The police said the road block let to traffic sna rls on TH Road Wednesday morning. When the police tried to forcibly arrest the protesters, a quarrel broke out between them following which police lathicharged the CPI(M) men. Several CPI(M) cadres including Mr. Jayaraman were injured in the lathicharge. The municpal chairman was admitted to a private hospital. All the arrested were released in the evening.

Mr. Jayaraman told reporters that the roads in wards 41,42 and 43 had not been relaid for the past 15 years. “Even after the completion of the underground drainage system, the municipality was prevented from relaying the roads citing a pending drinking water project.” he said. The municipal chairman said the drinking water project would take at least five years to complete. “People in the three wards are severely affected by the decision,” he said. He also pointed out that no funds were allocated for Tiruvottiyur in the Rs.1,000 crore provided by the state government for relaying of damaged roads across the state.

CPI(M) state secretary G. Ramakrishnan condemned the police lathicharge of his party men. He demanded that the government take immediate steps to relay the roads.

(Photos : Gavaskar Theekathir)

CPIM warns Himachal government of bowing to big builders

The Himachal Pradesh state secretariat of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has forewarned the BJP government of the state to not to bow down to the interests of the big builder companies and accordingly frame policies to suit their interests. The CPIM has stated, the efforts on the part of the government to lift the ban on construction in the 17 green zones/ belts of Shimla town points to the vested interests at large. The CPIM has stated, it is intriguing to note that the government that boasts of carbon credits is actually allowing the entry of big construction giants in the green belt to suit the interests of big builders and ruining the green cover. The CPIM will unequivocally oppose the unlimited lifting of ban on construction activities in the green belt which de-facto would imply not houses for the people of Shimla town but resorts/ bungalows for the rich and powerful groups.

The CPIM has asked the government to take a pragmatic look at the trees in these green belts. These should not be cut for the activity of construction . But, the CPIM has stated, the art and science of silvi-culture should be adopted , where the mother tree should be removed for the younger ones to grow or else the mother tree becomes a threat to the people as it loses its base and falls on houses, roads etc. The CPIM has reiterated that the lifting of ban under the garb of development will not be allowed as it will severely affect the ecology of the Shimla hills.

On the Verdict of the Lucknow Bench on Ayodhya Case

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

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has given its decision on the title deeds suits and related issues on the Babri Masjid/Ramjanmabhoomi temple dispute.

This judgement requires to be fully studied. There may be questions on the nature of the verdict.

The CPI(M) maintains that in our constitutional secular democratic system the judicial process which includes recourse to the Supreme Court should be the only way to resolve the issue.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) appeals to the people of the country to maintain peace and communal harmony and not fall prey to any provocations.

Extended CEC of BSNL Employees Union begin in Nagpur

The Extended Central Executive Committee meeting off BSNL Employees Union took to a colorful starting yesterday the 27--09--2010,, at Nagpur. The three day meeting is taking place at the Indian Medical Association Hall. Apart from the CEC members, more than 400 District Secretaries are also attending the meeting.

The meeting started with flag hoisting. The Union flag was hoisted by com. P.Abhiimanyu, General Secretary. The inaugural ceremony took place at 1030 hrs. Com.Saii, resident off the Reception Committee and Vice--President of Maharashtra State CITU welcomed all. Com M.Krishnan, Secretary General off NFPE, inaugurated the Extended CEC. In the post lunch session, com. P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, presented his report.

Thereafter, discussion on the report is takings place. It will continue for the whole off tomorrow. A seminar will take place on 29--09--2010. Tapan Sen General Secretary, CITU are participating in the seminar. The Reception Committee, under the leadership of com.Purrushottttam Gedam, Circle Secretary, Maharashtra Circle, has made excellent arrangements for the Extended CEC.

Workers Party of Korea conference held

The Conference of the Workers' Party of Korea was held with success in Pyongyang on Sept. 28. Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the WPK and chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, was present at the Conference.

Present there were delegates elected at the meeting of WPK delegates of the Korean People's Army and provincial and political bureaus' meetings of delegates of the WPK. Officials of the party, armed forces and power organs, working people's organizations, ministries and national institutions, servicepersons and officials in the fields of science, education, public health, culture and arts and media attended the Conference as observers.

All the participants observed a moment's silence in memory of President Kim Il Sung who successfully accomplished the cause of founding the Juche-type revolutionary party for the first time in history and developed the WPK into a powerful ever-victorious staff of the revolution.

Kim Yong Nam made an opening address. Choe Yong Rim worked as chairman at the Conference upon authorization by the consultative meeting of provincial delegates. The Conference marked a significant occasion that demonstrated the revolutionary faith and will of all the party members, servicepersons and people to glorify the WPK as the glorious party of Kim Il Sung for all ages and accomplish the Songun revolutionary cause of Juche started on Mt. Paektu by invariably having Kim Jong Il, peerless political elder and illustrious Songun commander, at the top post of the party and the revolution. Pyongyang, September 28 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was reelected as general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea at the conference of the WPK convened at a historic time when a signal turn is being effected in carrying out the revolutionary cause of Juche, the cause of building a thriving socialist nation.

Kim Jong Il Reelected as General Secretary

 

The conference solemnly declared internally and externally that Kim Jong Il was reelected as general secretary of the WPK with unanimous will and wishes of all the party members, servicepersons and people of the DPRK as he performed the immortal exploits to shine long in the history of the country and developed the WPK into the party of President Kim Il Sung, ever-victorious Juche-type revolutionary party by wisely leading the revolutionary cause of Juche to victories only with his outstanding idea and uncommon revolutionary practices for half a century since he embarked upon the road of the revolution in his early years.

 

His reelection to the supreme post of the WPK, organizer and guide of all victories of the Korean people, is the highest glory and happiness of millions of party members and servicepersons and people of the DPRK and a great auspicious event of the country and the nation.

His reelection is an expression of absolute support and trust of all the party members, the servicepersons and the people in Kim Jong Il who provided the great guiding idea indicating the path to be followed by the Party, the revolution and the era of independence by comprehensively developing and enriching the immortal Juche idea, converted the DPRK into invincible politico-ideological power, military power and scientific and technological power and consolidated the single-minded unity of the leader, the Party, the army and the people as firm as a rock by successfully embodying the idea, opened a new era of prosperity unprecedented in the nation's history spanning 5,000 years with his Songun revolutionary leadership and has made undying contribution to carrying out the cause of independence against imperialism.

It marked a great political event that strikingly demonstrated the unshakable faith and will of the army and people of the DPRK to resolutely defend and glorify the undying revolutionary feats performed by Kim Il Sung and accomplish the Songun revolutionary cause under the tested and seasoned leadership of Kim Jong Il.

(Source :KCNA)

Resolve Neyveli Lignite Corporation contract workers' issues: CPI (M)

Communist Party of India (Marxist) Tamil Nadu state secretary G. Ramakrishnan has urged the Centre and Tamil Nadu government to immediately intervene and sort out the problems of contract workers in Neyveli Lignite Corporation.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, he said around 13,000 contract labourers were on strike for the last ten days demanding better pay. The workers, on the strike since September 19, are pressing for implementation of their 10-point charter of demands including equal pay for equal work, service regularization and bonus, according to reports. About trade unions were participating in the strike.

Unemployment rate

On issues pertaining to the Union Territory, Mr. Ramakrishnan said that certain indicators such as unemployment rate in the region were a matter of concern. There were more than 2 lakh youths registered with the employment exchange. The government should take immediate steps to improve the law and order situation.

Venezuelan Elections: Socialists Advance, Opposition Loses Ground Compared to 2000 Elections

In Venezuela’s National Assembly elections on Sunday, opponents of President Hugo Chavez won approximately 20 fewer seats than they held during the 2000-2005 legislative term, while the pro-Chavez camp grew by several seats, Deputy-Elect Roy Chaderton said on Monday.

Chaderton said the opposition was setting up a “media farce” by comparing Sunday’s results only to those of the 2005 election, which the opposition boycotted, and thus reporting that that opposition drastically increased its presence in the National Assembly.

During the 2000-2005 legislative term, which was marked by an array of party splits and shifting alliances, pro-Chavez parties held between 83 and 92 seats at any given time, while opposition parties held between 73 and 82 seats, out of a total of 165.

According to the official results of Sunday’s election released by the National Electoral Council, Chavez’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) won 95 seats, while the opposition coalition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) won 62 seats. The center-left Fatherland for All (PPT) party, a former Chavez ally that split with the PSUV, won two seats. Three seats went to indigenous people’s representatives unaligned with either the PSUV or the MUD. The CNE has not yet announced the results in the contests for three other seats.

Both PSUV and MUD officials reported non-official results on Monday. President Chavez said in a press conference that the PSUV, won 98 seats while the MUD won 65 seats. MUD leader Ramón Aveledo said MUD candidates received 52% of the total number of votes cast nation-wide. The CNE has not confirmed either of these claims.

Officially, the PSUV won the majority of the seats in 16 of Venezuela’s 23 states. This included sweeping victories in the rural states of Apure, Barinas, Guarico, Cojedes, Lara, Portuguesa, Vargas, and Yaracuy; and strong victories in the major industrial states of Bolivar and Carabobo. The PSUV also won seven seats in the Capital District, compared to three for the MUD.

In Miranda state, where the capital city is located, the PSUV and the MUD each won three seats, with the MUD edging out the PSUV by a mere 741 votes out of a total of 968,947. The two were also tied with three seats each in Sucre state. In the sparsely populated and heavily forested Amazonas state, the PSUV won one seat, while the PPT won 2 seats and the MUD did not win any seats.

The MUD swept the border states of Tachira and Zulia, as well as Anzoátegui and the island state of Nueva Esparta.

According to an unofficial Venezuelanalysis calculation, approximately 10% of the 110 deputies who were elected as individuals were women.

Having won a majority of the National Assembly, the PSUV will be able to control the passage of ordinary laws and most other functions of the legislative body. However, the PSUV did not reach its goal of winning a two-thirds majority, which means the opposition will have the power to block organic laws, enabling laws that give decree power to the president, and some appointments to other branches of the government.

On Monday, MUD officials claimed victory in the elections, based mainly on their claim to have won the majority of the total votes cast on Sunday.

María Corina Machado, who was elected deputy of Miranda state, said the vote showed Venezuela’s disapproval of President Hugo Chavez’s presidency and its project of 21^st Century Socialism, which the opposition says is emulating Cuba’s political system.

“Here it is very clear, Venezuela said no to Cuban-style communism, Venezuela said yes to the path of democratic construction and now we have the legitimacy of vote of the citizenry, we are the representatives of the people,” said Machado.

The PSUV also celebrated what it considered to be a victory. Vice President Elías Jaua, who is a PSUV official, said, “The revolution can count on a comfortable majority in the National Assembly... Few governments on our continent can count on such a comfortable majority of just one party.”

“The opposition does not have any possibility, with this number of deputies, of reversing the legislative processes that have been completed or activating destabilizing mechanisms such as revoking public powers or impeaching the president,” said Jaua.

PSUV Campaign Chief Aristóbulo Istúriz expressed disappointment that the goal of 110 seats was not reached. However, he said this should not distract from the “truly decisive victory” won by the PSUV, which “reaffirms us as the primary political force in our country.”

“We achieved our objective in the sense of being able to guarantee the defense of President Hugo Chavez and the policies of the revolutionary government, and having won sufficient forces to propel structural changes in this era of the construction of socialism,” said Istúriz.

Istúriz, who was elected deputy in the Capital District on Monday, called on the PSUV “to unite more than ever, to strengthen ourselves, because this is a long struggle, it is a daily struggle, it is a never ending battle and these legislators will be an important force in the construction of socialism.”

President Chavez, through his Twitter account, called the election “a solid victory, sufficient to continue deepening democratic and Bolivarian socialism.” He added, “We must continue strengthening the revolution!”

In a press conference on Monday night, Chavez said the next phase of his government will include “the acceleration of programs of the new historical, political, social, and technological project.”

Chavez said the results reflected what was predicted by recent polls and analysis, and as such, “nothing extraordinary happened. Something extraordinary would have been if we won 130 deputies, extraordinary would have been if we lost the majority.”

Polls over the past year consistently showed the PSUV’s popularity as a political party hovering in the mid-30^th percentile, with opposition parties much weaker, and a large undecided population.

Meanwhile, the approval rating for Chavez’s presidency remained high at around 55% or 60%. This appears to have impacted the PSUV’s electoral campaign, which de-emphasized individual candidacies and framed the election as a vote of approval or disapproval of Chavez’s presidency. MUD candidates also focused on weaknesses of the Chavez government, such as rising crime and corruption, and made few if any policy proposals of their own.

(Source: Venezuelaanalysis.com)

DYFI Tamil Nadu state conference concludes

Thirteenth State conference of DYFI Tamil Nadu unit concluded with a huge youth rally on 27th September at the textile town of Coimbatore. The rally started from VOC Park tand cocluded at Sivananda Colony where the public meeting was held. The city was turned into a white sea by the youth who came from various parts of the state to participate in the rally. The rally once again proved that DYFI is the powerful  youth organization in the state. DYFI Kerala State president and Member of Parliament Com. M B Rajesh flaged off the rally.  White volunteers marched in the front row holding DYFI flags followed by various cultural troups performing dances and arts. The youths raised slogans against the anti-people measures taken by state- central governments.

Change in policy need of the hour: Sitharam Yechury 

Drastic changes in the policy and shift in priorities are the need of the hour for building a better India, said Sitaram Yechury. Addressing the public meeting organised at the end of  rally  com Yechury accused the ruling class of being in favour of the rich to make them richer at the cost of turning the poor into poorer.

Mr. Yechury urged the youth to take over the historic responsibility of ensuring education, employment and health for all. “Three out of the five children dying across the world were from India,” and 70 per cent of the mothers continue to suffer from malnutrition.”

When such issues concerning the masses were raised in Parliament, the rulers cited the lack of resources as an excuse.

Mr. Yechury said: “In the two-year period of economic crisis, the government had accorded “incentives” to a tune of Rs.2,30,000 crore to the corporate houses and high-end tax-payers.” “On the other hand, the government makes a hue and cry for cutting the subsidies given the poor, stating subsidies would ruin the economy.”

The parlance for favouring the richer was “incentives” while assistance to the poor was termed “subsidy.” Through realisation of the legitimate taxes alone, the nation could ensure infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools, colleges and hospital besides employment, whereas the taxes were foregone in the name of incentives. The time had come for implementation of the alternatives for which shift in policies and priorities were the need of the hour. The Left parties and DYFI were keen to show an alternative path of economy and governance to the people, this was precisely the reason why political and reactionary forces were targeting the CPI (M) and DYFI in particular.

General secretary of DYFI, national unit, Tapas Sinha, State president of DYFI S. Muthukannan, general secretary R. Velmurugan, Coimbatore MP P.R. Natarajan took part. 

New Office Bearers

S Murugan

S Muthu Kannan

 The four day conference elected new office bearers to the organisation.  Com. S Muthukannan was elected as State President while Com. Velmurukan has been elected as State Secretary. Com. S Bala is elected as the State treasurer. A State committee consisting of 80 comrades were elected. The state conference also elected a 23 member state executive committee. 

West Bengal Left Front Solidarity Week Observed in States

The voice of the Left and democratic movement of West Bengal was reverberated in corners of India during the solidarity week. Here is a short report from the states.

 Public meetings, rallies, seminars, hall meetings, street corner meetings, special conventions were held at hundreds of places throughout India in defence of the Left Front and its government in West Bengal during the solidarity week from September 12 to 18. In some states, the programmes were held beyond one week and it would actually continue throughout this month. The call to observe the week was given by the extended central committee meeting of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), in Vijaywada. 

CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat addressed a public meeting in Patna on 17th September. He alleged that the UPA government was abetting Banerjee 'using Maoists' to kill CPI(M) workers in West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia in the state. Thousands of CPI(M) workers had also been forced to leave home by armed Maoists apparently to ensure that the Trinamool Congress-led alliance won the assembly elections. the CPI(M) leader claimed. Karat, however, said Left workers had launched action to retrieve lost ground in three naxal-infested districts bordering Jharkhand. He strongly defended the Left front government and cited the implementation of land reforms, panchayati raj, scientific education in madarsas, and prevalence of communal amity as its landmark achievements. Karat said the fight against reactionary and communal forces would suffer a blow if the Left forces were to be weakened in the country

 In Tamilnadu, thousands of general public gathered in this campaign programme from Chennai to Kanyakumari. As part of this campaign, CPI(M) central secretariat member, Nilotpal Basu, addressed special meetings at Thanjavur, Kalpakkam in Kancheepuram district and Ponneri in Thiruvallur district. CPI(M) Tamilnadu state secretary G Ramakrishnan, central committee members N Varadharajan, T K Rengarajan, MP, V Vasuki and state secretariat members participated at various places. CPI(M) central committee member Md Salim and west Bengal Tourism Minister Manab Mukherjee also addressed number of meetings. 

As a part of this campaign, a well prepared photo-cum-art Exhibition was conducted throughout the state. Thousands of people witnessed the exhibition. There are 60 pieces of art work which describe the great achievements of the Left Front government and the grave threats and violent attacks of the TMC-Maoist combine on CPI (M) and the Left in the past two years. The content of the exhibition was effectively prepared by veteran writer, N Ramakrishnan, and the photographic collage was made by writer and artist Dr Sri Rasa. This exhibition added a sensitive touch to the week long campaign programme. 

Earlier, the campaign was started with a special publication of "Theekkathir" daily on the Left Front government in West Bengal, the LDF government in Kerala and and the Left Front government in Tripura. The issue also focussed on the attacks of ruling classes on the party. Around 1.10 lakh tabloids of this special issue have been taken to the people throughout the state. 

In Andhra Pradesh, a number of programmes were held as part of the solidarity campaign. On Septemeber 15, B V Raghavulu attended a convention held in Vishakapatnam while central committee members P Madhu and M A Gafoor participated in a meeting in Kurnool on September 18. In Hyderabad, a convention was held on 19th September where the main speaker was CPI(M) West Bengal state secretariat member Sridip Bhattacharya. Polit Bureau member and state secretary B V Raghavulu presided over the meeting while the deputy general secretary of CPI S Sudhakar Reddy and state secretaries of Forward Bloc and RSP parties also addressed it. A 30-minute documentary on the latest situation in areas of West Medinipur district was screened on this occasion. The documentary has been produced by New Media, which is a part of the India News Network. Earlier a rally was taken out from the state committee office in RTC X Roads to the venue of the convention in Sundarayya Vignana Kendram in Bagh Lingampally. 

A land of martyrs, an eye witness to the semi fascist, anti communist terror, Tripura , stood firm in solidarity with West Bengal, the frontal of the Left and democratic movement of the country. From 11th September in each corner of the state, thousands of people joining in the mass meetings have expressed their unflinching support to the fighting masses of West Bengal and have warned against any attempt of creating an state of anarchy in Tripura.The Tripura state committee of the party has started the program from 11th itself and it would continue up to 29th of this month. 

The solidarity  program in the state got underway on 11th at Belonia with a huge number of toiling masses joining the rally addressed by CPI(M) CC member and Finance Minister of Tripura , Badal Choudhury. The mood of the gathering was that of taking a pledge to thwart the conspiracies of the national and international reactionary forces to weaken the Left Front Govt of West Bengal. The same mood of solidarity and resistance was visible in each and every mass meeting. On 15th,CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and Tripura CM Manik Sarkar addressed another mammoth gathering at Udaypur. On the same day, the state capital Agartala witnessed a huge gathering of masses in the solidarity rally.addressed by CPI(M) CC member and West Bengal Housing minister Gautam Deb. CPI(M) Tripura state secretariat member Gautam Das also spoke in the meeting. On 14th at a rally in Bishalgarh, West Bengal minister for SHG and self employment Rekha Goswami elaborated on the achievements and pro people measures of the LF govt in West Bengal. Goswami along with Tripura Left Front Committee convenor Khagen Das addressed a mass meeting in Kamalpur too. CPI(M) CC member Shyamali Gupta spoke in a rally at Dharmanagar. MP and CCM, Bajuban Reang spoke in a rally at Manughat. Addressing two meetings at Gandachheraa and Raisyabari on 14th, CPI(M) state committee sectary Bijan Dhar said the concerted attack on the Left in West Bengal is aimed at weakening the struggle against neo liberalism, imperialism. In Sonamurra, West Bengal minister for land and land revenue Rezzak Mollah addressed a well attended rally, while CPI(M) West Bengal state committee member Amiya Patro addressed a rally on 18th in Kumarghat. The campaign program shall conclude on 29th with a mass meeting at Khowai. This will be addressed by CPI(M) West Bengal state secretary Biman Basu and party CC member Aghor Debbarma. 

In Kerala, the week was organized in a big manner. Pinaray Vijayan, the state secretary Of CPI(M) and VS Achyutanandan, the Chief Minister addressed meetings. CPI(M) polit bureau member and West Bengal Industies minister Nirupam Sen and central committee member and West Bengal Health Minister Suryakanta Misra addressed public meetings in Thiruvantantapuram and Kochi. An exhibition on the martyrs in West Bengal drew response from the masses. 

In Madya Pradesh, more than 100 public meetings were held in different parts of the state. Thousands of posters in Hindi, with the slogan “victory will continue” have been printed. A campaign material explaining the pro people nature of the Left Front was distributed throughout the state. In Himachal Pradesh, a public meeting was organized in Shimla, where Nilotpal Basu explained the true face of the attack on the Left in West Bengal. The participation of the younger sections was particularly noticeable. 

In Assam, public rallies were held in Bongaigaon and Barpeta. West Bengal state committee member Jibesh Sarkar and state secretariat member Dipak Dasgupta addressed the rallies respectively. CPI(M) central committee member Uddhav Barman spoke in both the occasions.

AIDWA Kerala State conference opens

Ninth Kerala state conference of AIDWA, the fighting organisation of women started on 26th September in Trivandrum. The two day conference began the proceedings with unfurling of the flag by State president Com. T N Seema MP. The delegate session of the conferenc was inaugurated by Com. P K Sreemathi (Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Kerala State). She emphasized the importance of women movement in the era of globalization. She also highlighted the importance of 50 % reservation of seats in local body election. Com Sudha Sundararaman, All India Secretary AIDWA placed the organistaional report and greeted the deligates. Com N K Radha placed the Martyrs resolution and Com. Girija Surendran placed the Condolence resolution. After the inaugural session Com. K K Sailaja, State Secretary placed the work report for delibrations. 

 Later in the evening a seminar on religion and fundamentalism was held. CPIM State secretary Com. Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the seminar. KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala was also present. Pinarayi Vijayan said that the Communist parties had never taken an anti-religious stand, but only opposed intervention of religion in politics. He said it was Communists who reacted strongly when Christians were attacked in different parts of the country allegedly by Sangh Parivar forces."In our society there are believers as well as non- believers. Communists parties always desired co-operation of both these sections," he said.Stating that both majority and minority communalism were dangerous, he said these trends were mutually complementary