People's Democracy
(Weekly
Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)
No. 10
March 07, 2004
(Weekly
Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)
|
Vol.
XXVIII
No. 10 March 07, 2004 |
Focus On Defeating The
Communal Combine: CPI(M)
THE main focus of the CPI(M) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections would be to defeat the communal combine of the BJP-led NDA, asserted Polit Buro member Sitaram Yechury while addressing a press conference at the Party headquarters on February 27. He said all those interested in seeing the defeat of the communal forces should extend support to the CPI(M) and the Left in places where they are contesting like the Left would to other secular parties in places where it is not contesting.
Responding to a question, Yechury made it clear that the CPI(M) cannot have any alliance or front with the Congress given the Party’s differences over its economic policies. "There is no joint front with the Congress in Tamil Nadu. Our alliance is only limited to the DMK", he clarified. Discussions were on, he said, with the RJD in Bihar regarding seat adjustments. About Andhra, he said discussions were going with the Left parties in the state and soon a shortlist of seats where the Left intends to contest would be released. He said the Party is stressing on the need to avoid any division of anti TDP-BJP votes in the state.
As for the demand for formation of a separate Telangana state, Yechury made it clear that the CPI(M) is opposed to it. "We stand by the principle of formation of states on linguistic basis. If separate Telangana state is allowed to be formed, it will open a pandora’s box", he warned. When pointed out that the Congress had reached an understanding with the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Yechury said it was up to the Congress to make its stand clear on the Telangana issue. He, however, noted that till date they have not endorsed separate statehood. He also made it clear that the CPI(M) would not have any alliance with the TRS.
Regarding the situation in UP, he said that the CPI(M) considers Samajwadi Party as the main anti-communal party in the state and stressed the need to see that the BJP does not benefit by the division of secular votes in the state. When asked whether the secular alternative had any candidate for prime ministership, Yechury said that there was no dearth of leaders in the secular camp.
Following is the full text of the CPI(M) Polit Bureau communiqué released at the press conference. The PB had met in New Delhi on February 26, 2004:
Lok Sabha Elections
The Polit Bureau reviewed the work done with regard to the Lok Sabha elections on the basis of the decisions taken at the Central Committee meeting in Hyderabad in January. The Polit Bureau approved the first list of constituencies and the candidates of the Party in these elections. The second and final list will be issued a few days later.
The Polit Bureau discussed and approved the broad outline of the election manifesto to be issued by the Party in the elections. The manifesto will put forward the Party’s goal in these elections to: defeat the BJP and its allies; formation of a secular government and strengthening of the CPI(M) and the Left in parliament.
February 24 Strike
The Polit Bureau congratulated the millions of workers and employees who joined the one-day general strike held on February 24. The wide participation of workers and employees cutting across trade union affiliations shows the deep concern of the working people on the Supreme Court’s judgement denying the right to strike to government employees and other sections. The Polit Bureau demands that the central government take note of the widespread anger among the working people at this attack on their rights. It should immediately take steps to protect the right to strike which is an intrinsic part of the democratic rights of all citizens of the country.
Iraq: Observe Anti-War Day
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) extends full support to the call given internationally for the observance of March 20, the day the United States launched its military aggression against Iraq last year. On this day, all over the world protests will be organised to demand the end of the illegal occupation of Iraq by the United States and its allies. The Polit Bureau calls upon all its Party units to mark this day with big protest marches along with other anti-imperialist and democratic forces to demand an immediate end to the US occupation of Iraq and the restoration of Iraq’s sovereignty to be exercised by its people.
