Nine opposition parties to hold protests on Aug 23 on corruption

Leaders of nine political parties, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Telugu Desam Party, Communist Party of India, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Biju Janata Dal, Janata Dal (S), Rashtriya Lok Dal, All India Forward Bloc and Revolutionary Socialist Party met in New Delhi on August 19 2011. They have issued the following statement:

Observe All India Protest Day on August 23

The leaders of the nine political parties noted that the UPA government has not taken any serious steps to curb high level corruption. The Lokpal Bill introduced by the government in parliament is weak and inadequate. Such a legislation will not establish a strong Lokpal authority. The nine political parties demanded that an effective Lokpal law be prepared and adopted.

Along with the Lokpal law, there are certain immediate measures to be taken to curb corruption. They include a new Judicial Accountability law which will also constitute a National Judicial Commission; electoral law reforms to curb money power and criminality in politics; firm steps to unearth black money and bring back the illegal money stashed abroad.

The meeting condemned the arrest of Anna Hazare and his colleagues in order to prevent their hunger strike. This is an attack on the democratic rights of citizens to conduct peaceful protests. There are increasing restrictions on the right to assemble and the right to conduct protests in Delhi and all over the country. The nine political parties demanded lifting of curbs on the right to protest and protection of democratic rights.

The meeting decided to call for an all India protest day to be observed on August 23 to demand effective measures against corruption including a strong Lokpal. The countrywide protest will also demand the protection of democratic rights and the right to conduct peaceful protests.

On August 23, all over the country, the nine political parties will organize demonstrations and dharnas in all state capitals and district headquarters.

The meeting was attended by H.D. Deve Gowda, Chandrababu Naidu, Prakash Karat, A B Bardhan, Ajit Singh, Thambidurai, Debabrata Biswas, Bhartruhari Mahtab, Abani Roy, Sitaram Yechury, S. Sudhakar Reddy, D Raja, Nama Nageshwar Rao and others.

Press Meet
“We have decided to conduct demonstrations, dharnas and other forms of protests all over the country against rampant corruption and growing attacks on democratic rights” on August 23, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat told a press conference after a meeting of the nine parties here.

CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan said, “We may even demand its (government Lokpal bill’s) withdrawal if necessary”, while Mr. Karat said the parties would express their opinion in the parliamentary Standing Committee looking into the legislation.

On whether they would organise a ‘Bharat Bandh’, Mr. Karat said this was the beginning of a nationwide anti-corruption campaign. “We will meet again after August 23 to decide on the future course”.

To a question whether they would coordinate with the BJP-led NDA, he said the nine parties were organising their own programmes. “The NDA has also expressed that the government version of the Bill does not serve the purpose”, he said, adding all opposition parties were organising their own agitational programmes.

Referring to the deliberations at the meeting of leaders of the nine parties, Mr. Karat said the “most burning issue” of “rampant corruption” and the anti-corruption agitation by Anna Hazare was discussed threadbare. The leaders were of the “unanimous opinion that the government bill is unacceptable. It is a weak and ineffective bill. We want an effective Lokpal legislation,” he said.

A mechanism to curb corruption in the judiciary was also discussed and the parties felt that the Judicial Accountability law, to be passed by Parliament, should include the creation of a National Judicial Commission to deal with such issues. “The present (judicial accountability) bill is also insufficient,” Mr. Karat said.

While electoral reforms to curb money power and criminality in elections were needed, effective measures are also required to unearth blackmoney stashed away abroad, he said.
Condemning the way Hazare and his supporters were arrested, Mr. Karat said these “assaults on democratic rights are rising. .... In Delhi, if you plan to protest, you have to abide by 21 conditions set by the police. It is the same situation elsewhere. You have to fill up forms and give undertakings and there are various other restrictions”.

Replying to questions on the Lokpal bill, Mr. Karat said, “The government bill is not adequate. The public mood is against it... as it will not serve the purpose.” “If the government is willing, we are prepared to discuss with it. As of now, we have decided to mobilise the people against it,” he said.

The Left and other parties have already held two nationwide strikes this year - on April 27 and July five - to protest against rise in prices of essential commodities and petroleum products.

WITHDRAW PROPOSAL TO DECONTROL UREA PRICES - AIKS

AIKS condemns the Congress-led UPA Government’s proposal to decontrol urea prices and increase prices by 10%. The Empowered Group of Ministers on 5th August approved the Saumitra Chaudhuri Committee Recommendations to decontrol urea and allow increase in prices by 10% initially and later bring it under Nutrient Based Subsidy by October. The 10% hike in per tonne over the current Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of Rs.5,310/tonne could translate to an additional expenditure of up to Rs.530/- for farmers. From next year Companies will have a free hand and farm gate prices of urea will be fixed by them. The fertiliser companies will also pass on any increases in gas pricing and additional taxes imposed directly on to the farmers.

This decision should be seen in the light of the startling revelations of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s “Performance Audit of Fertiliser Subsidy” tabled in Parliament on 5th August, 2011 which found that 45 percent of the farmers pay more than the MRP and nearly 60 percent face problems in getting their season’s full requirement in time.

It also pointed to the problem of artificial shortages created by dealers during peak seasons to hike prices much above the MRP. Instead of putting an end to black-marketing and corrupt practices, the Government measure is only going to put the farmers at the mercy of Fertiliser cartels. The CAG has also indicted the Government’s fertiliser policy for deliberately pushing costly imports and turning away the focus from indigenous production of urea which is a key farm input. The present move by the Government is despite strong indictment of the New Pricing Scheme for urea by the CAG. Already the Government had on July 8th, 2011 by a notification withdrawn any restraint on increasing prices of non-urea fertilisers by the companies and stated that the market price of non-urea fertilisers “will be open”. It rescinded an earlier notification of 5th May, 2011 that had allowed Companies to increase MRP of Di Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) by Rs.600/tonne in addition to the MRP prevailing then (Rs.10,750/tonne) and also a proportionate increase in MRP of Complex Fertilisers (corresponding to that in DAP).


The MRP of DAP according to the May 5th notification would translate into Rs.11,470/tonne. In the light of the July 8th notification the MRP of DAP inclusive of VAT if calculated based on the imported cost of DAP at $650/tonne will translate into around Rs.14,300/tonne. This would mean an exorbitant increase of Rs.3550/tonne of DAP within the last 2 months. The Government move on urea is coming at a time when already farmers are paying hefty amount for non-urea fertilisers and rising input costs are a disincentive to cultivation.Urea is a key agricultural input. Decontrol of urea prices, like in the case of DAP and other Complex fertilisers will put a big burden on the peasantry and costs of production will increase substantially.


AIKS demands that the proposal be rejected and these measures be withdrawn with immediate effect. The Congress-led Government is clandestinely bringing such anti-peasant measures without proper publicity, fearing its political fallout. AIKS warns the Government against such moves and calls upon all units to launch a widespread campaign and protests against this move

Trinamool atrocities reaching its peak : Government too is revengeful

Addressing a massive rally organized by the Left Front on Rani Rashmoni Road in Kolkata on August 12, Front leaders condemned the way the ruling Trinamool Congress had thrown West Bengal into complete unrest and anarchy. Personal liberty of people, they alleged, was being violated and democratic rights of political parties and trade unions were being infringed upon.

Braving the rains and drizzles thousands of Left Front supporters coming from all the districts converged on the Esplanade area to voice their protest against the post-poll violence unleashed by the Trinamool activists on the Left supporting people. The rally was addressed among others Left Front chairman Biman Basu, former Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee, Leader of the Opposition Suryakanta Mishra, CPI leader Manju Kumar Majumdar and RSP leader Manoj Bhattacherjee. Later, an eleven-member delegation headed by the Leader of the Opposition met the West Bengal Governor M k Narayanan to submit a memorandum giving the details of incidents related to atrocities committed the Trinamool Congress following the declaration of the Assembly elections results in West Bengal.Front chairman Biman Basu said the State was in complete unrest. The newly elected Trinamool government was totally indifferent to systematic as well as organized attacks on Left Front supporters who included poor farmers, students and teachers. All democratic institutions right from panchayats, municipalities, cooperatives, different elected bodies of educational institutions had been made defunct either by attacks and intimidations. In many areas teachers, non-teaching staff and students were not being allowed to enter their institutions.Basu, also secretary of the West Bengal CPI(M), alleged that the Jangalmahal was now made sanctuary for the Maoists. There had been mounting tension in the Hills and Terai and Dooars region in North Bengal. Basic democratic rights of all sections of the people of the State were under threat. Even armed conflicts among different factions of Trinamool Congress were taking place. Every day CPI(M) workers and supporters in rural Bengal was being killed by trigger-happy Trinamool gangsters, Basu alleged.Former Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee alleged after the Trinamool and Congress alliance had come to power, regular instance of political vendetta, murder, loot, rioting and bloodbath were being witnessed everywhere across rural Bengal. Innocent people were being implicated in false cases and arrested.Her termed the arrest of CPI(M) MLA and former Minister Sushanta Ghosh in a murder case as “political revenge” by Trinamool Congress after coming to power in the State. He alleged the government had been digging up 10 to 30 year old cases just to take revenge against the CPI(M). “ When I was the Chief Minister the Trinamool Congress vandalized the Assembly, attacked policestations and slapped police officer on duty, but I did not take any action against those who indulged in such activities,” he said.The memorandum seeking Governor’s intervention has given details of victims of Trinamool atrocities since the installation of the new government headed by Mamata Banerjee. It revealed that 30 Left Front leaders and workers (CPI(M) 28 and RSP) were killed and seven more were abetted to commit suicide ; 684 women were physically assaulted (508 molested and 23 raped) ; 3785 persons had to be hospitalized for treatment after sustaining severe injuries. There had been 2064 instances of arson and looting of houses and 14081 persons were evicted from their places of living. To buy peace and stay in their homes, people had been forced to pay money to the local Trinamool activists and leaders. An estimated amount of money paid to them was more than 277.7 nillion. Around 758 party, trade uion and other mass organization offices were either attacked, ransacked and,burnt. Altogether 77 student union offices had been captured. There had been a widespread attack on the rights of peasantry where by 3418 ryots were denied the right to cultivate their own lands amounting 9222.73 acres. Besides 26838 Patta holders and share-croppers had been forcibly evicted from 9222.02 acres of patta and barga lands. Even the Left Party organs have not seen spared. 241 boards displaying Ganashakti daily in public had been beaten dismantled and thousands of its copies had been burnt and the hawkers beaten up in order to disrupt it’s circulation chain.

CPI(M) demands Kerala CM Oomen Chandy to quit

The Kerala State secretariat of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has asked Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to step down from office if he had the slightest respect for law and justice.

In a statement here on Tuesday, the party's State secretariat said that a just and independent reinvestigation into the palmolein case would not be possible when Mr. Chandy occupied the position of the Chief Minister. His decision to give up the Vigilance portfolio would not solve the problem. In fact, his decision itself was proof of the fact that even the Chief Minister was aware of the seriousness and importance of the court order in the case.

The Vigilance Court had ordered the reinvestigation spelling out instances pointing to the role of Mr. Chandy in the palmolein deal as the then Finance Minister. The Chief Minister's decision to hand over the Vigilance portfolio to his most trusted Cabinet colleague was not sufficient to address the present crisis. The Chief Minister wielded power over all the departments and could intervene in matters that come under any State department, he said.

(Courtesy : The Hindu, Deshabhimani)

Widen scope of probe into Tsunami funds misuse in Pondicherry: CPI (M)

Communist Party of India (Marxist) has appealed to the Central Bureau of Investigation to widen the scope of probe into irregularities in the construction of houses for tsunami-affected persons in Puducherry.

Addressing a joint press conference on Tuesday, Tamil Nadu State committee member of the party T. Murugan and secretary of the local unit of the CPI(M) V. Perumal said the irregularities should be investigated completely. The role of Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, under whose earlier tenure the tsunami rehabilitation process started, and former Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam and Ministers should also be investigated, they said.

While seeking the removal of Collector G. Ragesh Chandra, against whom the CBI is conducting an investigation, Mr. Perumal said one official alone cannot be held accountable for the irregularities. Pointing out that the Project Implementation Agency was governed by a seven-member committee, Mr. Murugan said all decisions were taken by the committee and the Collector was only a member.

The committee headed by Chief Secretary takes decisions on the works to be undertaken for tsunami rehabilitation, he said, adding that such decisions are implemented with the approval of government. The investigation should not be limited to a few officials, he added. Urging the government to issue a White Paper on the amount of money received by the territorial administration from Union government and other agencies, he said the party from the beginning had been complaining of misuse of funds earmarked for tsunami rehabilitation.

Mr. Perumal criticised the government for turning a blind eye to the blatant violation in displaying banners on the occasion of the Chief Minister's birthday. The CPI(M) sought to know from the government the rationale behind giving permission to erect banners when there was court order banning display of hoardings.

Mr.Murugan said the party would stage a demo in front of the Raj Nivas if Lieutenant Governor Iqbal Singh decided to give his customary address in the Assembly on August 18.

TNUEF Demonstration seeking temple entry for Dalits

Members of the Untouchability Eradication Front along with like minded organisations staged a demonstration seeking entry for Dalits into the Mariamman Temple at Kalapatti in Coimbatore district of Tamilnadu. The State president of the Front Sampath, its district secretary Sivagnanam, functionaries of the Democratic Youth Federation of India, Adhi Tamiar Viduthalai Munnani and Students Federation of India took part in the demonstration. They urged the State Government and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to intervene and ensure rights of entry for the Dalits into the temple. The temple is under the administration of the HR&CE since 1973 and HR & CE officials reportedly paid a visit to the temple on Monday to take stock of the situation.

The activists have decided to wait for the administration to act on the issue, failing which the organisations will forcibly enter the temple. The date of the agitation will be decided shortly.

Source : The Hindu

PM should own up responsibility for scams: CPI(M)

The CPI(M) on Sunday demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh own up responsibility for the corruption scandals plaguing his government including on 2G and KG basin issues, but stopped short of asking for his resignation.

“The role of Prime Minister in the scandals involving the 2G spectrum distribution and KG basin is questionable. He must own up the responsibility,” CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat told reporters at the end of the two-day party central committee meeting here.

On why he was not asking for Dr. Singh’s resignation, Mr. Karat said, “The story is not over. It is still unfolding, wait and see.” He said the argument that somebody is honest does not absolve him of the responsibility for what his Cabinet does. “Irrespective of who is honest or who has integrity something is happening under your watch and when all this is happening, what is your responsibility? The issue is not whether I am honest or dishonest, but under me there is a team of pilferers and pickpockets. So what is my responsibility in this?” Mr. Karat said.

The senior CPI(M) leader claimed that in both the 2G and KG basin issues, the Prime Minister was “fully aware” of the developments, but did not stop the wrongdoings.

“We had written six letters to the Prime Minister about wrongdoings in 2G spectrum allotment issue, but he did not do anything,” Mr. Karat alleged.

“There seems to be an exponential growth in corruption in the UPA—II government,” he said.
He said that the Left’s stated position was that the Prime Minister should be brought under the Lokpal. “There is no justification that prime minister will come under its purview only after he retires.” “Everyday a new scandal is coming out, whether it is 2G, KG or CWG games,” Mr. Karat said. “The Delhi government has been indicted in the CAG report and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has been named. It is a practice that the person should resign if named and not hold office till being absolved, but this has not happened in this case,” the CPI(M) leader said.
Demanding that all persons involved in the scams should be brought to book, he said, “We are fortunate that the Supreme Court intervened in the 2G case and due to this a former central minister and others are in jail.”

Taking on the BJP, he alleged that the Karnataka BJP was involved in “loot of the country’s natural resources.” “In connection with the mining scam, B S Yeddyurappa has resigned as chief minister of Karnataka, but that is insufficient, all those involved in the scam should be prosecuted,” Mr. Karat said.

CPIM Central Committee Communique

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in Kolkata on August 6 & 7, 2011. It has issued the following statement:

The Central Committee discussed the international and national political situation.

Global Economic Crisis

The Central Committee noted that the global economy is yet to recover from the economic crisis which started in 2008. The recent debt ceiling crisis in the US and the continuing sovereign debt problem in some of the European Union countries show how the neo-liberal policies have reached a dead end. After bailing out the bankers and private financial institutions, the governments in Europe and the United States are imposing austerity measures which have to be borne by the people. The spending cuts imposed in the United States will weaken the welfare programmes and worsen the economic slowdown. High unemployment and cuts in pensions and welfare benefits are leading to widespread protests by the workers, students and youth in different countries of Europe.

The UPA government in India is not learning any lessons from this financial and economic crisis and continues to adhere to neo-liberal policies which are worsening the conditions of the people with relentless prices rise, lack of employment opportunities and rampant corruption.

Engulfed by Corruption

The UPA government has become synonymous with high level corruption. Fresh corruption scandals involving the higher echelons of the government are coming out every day. Apart from the 2G spectrum case there has been massive corruption involved in the KG Basin gas contract, as per the draft report submitted by the CAG. In the Commonwealth Games corruption, the involvement of the Delhi government and other Central Government agencies in corrupt practices has been uncovered in the CAG report submitted to parliament.

Whether it be the 2G Spectrum affair or the KG Basic gas contract issue or the appointment of Suresh Kalmadi as the Chairman of the CWG Organising Committee, the role of the Prime Minister is questionable. In both the 2G and KG basinmatters, the Prime Minister was fully aware of the developments but did not stop the wrong doings. The Prime Minister has to own up responsibility for presiding over this corrupt regime.

The Central Committees wishes to underline that it is the neo-liberal policies pursued which has made the UPA government act as the facilitator and handmaiden of the loot of public resources by big business and corporates. High level corruption stems directly from this economic regime.

The loot of natural resources is graphically illustrated by the rampant illegal mining which is taking place. The Lokayukta report in Karnataka has documented how largescale iron ore mining was taking place illegally with the connivance of the BJP state government. Acting on the Lokayukta’s report, prosecution must be launched against the corrupt practices of the former Chief Minister Yedyurappa, the others named in the report and the companies involved in this loot.

Lokpal Bill

The CPI(M) has already spelt out what type of legislation is required in order to constitute an effective Lokpal. The government’s draft of the Lokpal Bill is weak and ineffective. It does not bring the Prime Minister under the purview of the Lokpal. Nor does it arm the Lokpal with effective powers to take action against high level corruption by making it an independent body. In this connection, the Central Committee decided to conduct a campaign for an effective Lokpal and to mobilize public opinion for it. The CPI(M) has also demanded a set of measures to curb high-level corruption which includes the setting up of a national judicial commission to check corruption in the higher judiciary, electoral reforms to curb use of money power in elections and steps to unearth black money and bring back the illegal money stashed abroad.

Price Rise & Inflation

The Central Committee condemned the government’s successive increase in the prices of petroleum products including the latest increase in the prices of diesel, kerosene and cooking gas. The inflation rate is ranging between 9 to 10 per cent and the food inflation rate continues to be high. The recent debate in the Lok Sabha on price rise shows the unwillingness of the government to take effective and necessary measures to curb price rise.

The Central Committee noted that the Central Government and the BJP came to an agreed text and voted for the resolution which does not ascribe the responsibility on the government for its failure to check price rise nor does it demand withdrawal of the increase in the prices of the petroleum products. The Left parties and some of the secular opposition parties pressed for an amendment on the resolution and walked out in protest. The Central Committee called upon all the Party units to continue the struggle against price rise and to demand changes in the tax structure of petroleum products.

Food Security Bill

The Government has finalized the Food Security Bill. It has rejected the demand for a universal public distribution system and continued the targeted system with only a change in the nomenclature of BPL and APL. The Bill legalizes the present objectionable linkages between the Planning Commission’s poverty estimates with the Statewise caps on those who may be officially recognized as poor. This is capped at 46 per cent of the population in rural areas and 28 per cent in urban areas. Thus a vast section of the poor will continue to be excluded. At present the national average of those benefiting from BPL schemes through State Government subsidies is over 56 per cent. Secondly the price of rice, which is two rupees in many States, has been kept at three rupees. Thirdly the BPL allocation amount is 7 kg per individual while for APL it will be only 3 kg. The number of APL card holders may also be cut since 25 per cent of the rural population and 50 per cent of the urban population are to be excluded by law. APL sections have been discriminated against also on the question of prices, as the price of APL rice will not be a fixed price but 50 per cent of the minimum support price for foodgrains. Thus the seeds of a conflict of interest have been sown between the farmer and the consumer.

In a objectionable move, the Bill makes it mandatory for State Governments to accept a central scheme for introduction of cash transfers instead of foodgrains. This will adversely impact on food security and also impact on procurement and on protection for farmers.

The CPI(M) demands a comprehensive Food Security law which provides for a universal public distribution system.

Land Acquisition

The Central Committee discussed the Party’s approach to land acquisition. It reiterated the need for a composite Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation & Resettlement Act to replace the existing 1894 Land Acquisition Act.

FDI In Retail

The Central Committee strongly opposed the proposed move to open retail further to FDI by allowing it in the multi-brand sector. The UPA government is serving the interests of the big US multinationals like Walmart and giving the specious plea that bringing foreign investment in retail trade will help check price rise.

The Central Committee warned the government not to proceed with the FDI in retail. It called upon all forces who want to protect the interests of the lakhs of shopkeepers and traders to unitedly build a movement against the entry of multinationals in retail.

Terrorist Violence

The Central Committee noted with concern that terrorist violence continues to occur. The three blasts in Mumbai city in July is the latest instance. It is a matter of concern that those responsible for the Mumbai blasts and other recent blasts like the German Bakery in Pune have not been identified or apprehended. This shows the continuing failure of the intelligence set up and the lack of coordination among various security agencies.

Telengana Agitation

Though seven months have passed since the submission of the Sri Krishna Committee report, the Central Government has not taken any decision on the issue of Telengana and the future of Andhra Pradesh. The delay in taking a decision is aggravating the situation in the state. Divisons among the people on regional lines are growing. The Central Committee demanded that the Central Government take a decision without any more delay.

West Bengal Situation

The Central Committee condemned the continuous attacks and violence directed against the CPI(M) and the Left Front in West Bengal. Since the election results 30 members and supporters of the CPI(M) have been killed, hundreds of Party offices have been attacked or occupied, panchayat members are being intimidated and prevented from doing their work, there are still thousands of people who have left their homes and are not able to return.

Under the new regime, attacks are taking place on the rights of bargadars, pattadars and agricultural workers in many places. An effort is being made to do away with the gains made by the peasantry and the rural poor in the past three decades. The TMC led government has not taken any steps to stop these attacks and to take action against those responsible.

The CPI(M) and the Left has been conducting a campaign all over the country against the violence in West Bengal and for the defence of democracy. The persisting attacks and violence in West Bengal is an assault on the democratic rights and will be harmful for democracy in the country.

Sri Lanka Tamils Issue

The Central Committee noted that though two years have passed since the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan government has not taken any worthwhile steps to reach a political settlement on the Tamil question. Though President Rajapakse had promised that after the war a political settlement would be found, no progress has been made. It is essential that specific measures are taken for the devolution of autonomy to the Tamil-speaking areas of the Northern and Eastern regions so that the Tamil people can live a life of dignity and as equal citizens within a united Sri Lanka.

Along with this the Sri Lankan government should step up efforts to rehabilitate all the displaced persons affected due to the conflict. The serious allegations of atrocities and human rights violation by the armed forces should be enquired into by a high level independent enquiry. The government of India should make all necessary efforts to ensure that a political settlement is arrived at without any further delay.

Party Congress

The Central Committee decided to hold the 20^th Congress of the Party at Kozhikode in Kerala. The Congress will be held from 4 to 9 April, 2012. The Central Committee decided on the state-wise number of delegates to be elected to attend the Congress.

Future Programmes

The Central Committee decided to conduct the following actions and programmes in the coming days:

(i) The Party and the Left demands an effective Lokpal law and other anti-corruption measures. For this, the Left parties will hold a demonstration outside parliament on September 2.

(ii) The Party will continue the campaign to stop the violence against the CPI(M) and the Left in West Bengal, all over the country. The Left Front of West Bengal will hold a protest dharna in Delhi on August 25. On that day, in all the state capitals, protest meetings will be held and memorandums handed over to the Governors.

(iii) The Party will conduct a campaign for an effective food security law which includes a universal public distribution system. The Party will work to see that the enrolment of the people under the BPL category is done by including all sections of the poor.

(iv) The Party will mobilize people to oppose FDI in retail along with the trade unions and traders organizations.

(v) The Party will extend its full support to the untied trade union actions and the strike struggles of workers belonging to various sectors. The Party will conduct movements against price rise and join the struggle against land grab by corporates and in defence of farmers rights.

“Left cannot be suppressed by violence”

The Left Front movement in West Bengal cannot be suppressed by force, coercion and violence, asserted Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat at Kolkata on Friday.

Speaking at a function to observe the birth anniversary of one of the pioneers of the Left movement in the country, Muzaffar Ahmed, Mr. Karat said the CPI(M) and the Left Front were facing severe attacks in West Bengal.

“We are confident that with the support of the people, with the public opinion that will be developed in West Bengal and the country, we will be able to withstand these attacks and once more take up the cause of the people,” Mr. Karat said.

Questioning the killings, attacks on party workers and offices, and intimidation of elected panchayat representatives, Mr. Karat said the Trinamool Congress had derided the CPI(M) for being an ‘authoritarian' regime, but was putting such a regime into practice now.

He called upon those holding public office to “respect the wishes of those who have pledged their allegiance to a different ideology and politics.”

(Source : The Hindu)

14th Party Congress of Communist Party of Venezuela Begins

The Fourteenth Congress of the Communist Party of Venezuela began on August 04th in Havana's Central Park complex. A total of 526 national delegates and 43 representatives from 31 organizations from 28 countries on five continents participate in this Congress.

 

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Executive Vice President of the Republic, Elias Jaua Milano, the president of the National Assembly (AN), Fernando Soto Rojas, Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro and Deputy Cilia Flores, the directors of the PCV and other personalities of national and international political arena.

During the meeting, attendees received a phone call from President Hugo Chavez, who greeted and acknowledged the work and career that has had the PCV at different stages of the political history of this nation. President of the Republic, Hugo Chávez Frías, said that the alliance of the revolutionary process with the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV), rather than temporary, is a historical necessity. "Our partnership is more than circumstantial, is a historical necessity that we must continue building", said the President. In his speech, the Head of State thanked the militancy of PCV "for the support as always" and reaffirmed his support for the political group.

United States reiterated that there is a crisis of capitalism, time of offense in his view should be used to build alternative models. "The way (towards socialism) is full of contradictions and dilemmas, but that's the way we are heading to a new hegemony," stressed the Head of State.

He recalled that 2011 marks the seventh year of the declaration of socialist and anti-imperialist character of the Bolivarian Revolution, which was born as a result of a chain of events that have gone by the way "is still full of contradictions, doubts and dilemmas, but continues to run. "

The Congress of the CPV is on the agenda the discussion of three core documents proposed by the Party Central Committee and has been part of the discussion of all Party members since March in all organs of the Party, either the Cells, Local Committees and Regional Committees. These are: PCV Update Program, an instrument that defines the strategy of the Communists to advance to socialism, the political line, which is the definition of tactical measures to be implemented in the next 4 years (until the next Congress) and Reform of the Statutes of the organization.

Com. Oscal Figuera

"It's the democratic discussion and application of the collective leadership of the Party in the most important decisions of the political life of the Venezuelan people, from our perspective, a Marxist Leninist and the application of scientific socialism," said Oscar Figuera, general secretary of the PCV.

Meeting in working groups, representatives of the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) today discussed the three core documents of the XIV Congress of that organization, held in this capital. The program of action, the political and reform of the statutes are the texts to be analyzed in the commissions, which will meet in the Bolivarian University of Venezuela. The results of the discussions at this conference were subjected to analysis of the morning plenary at the very center of higher education.

 

At the closing, which will take place in the theater of the party headquarters, will be presented the conclusions of the discussions and the new Central Committee members, who shall be elected at the forum.