People's Democracy

Goa: CPI(M) Holds State Conference

THE state conference of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) unit in Goa was held on December 26, 2004. The conference began with the hoisting of the Red flag by Gopinath Vaman Rao, whereafter delegates and others present on the occasion paid floral tributes at the martyrs column.

The state secretariat members formed the steering committee of the conference, while a two-member presidium comprising Thalmann Pereira and Naresh Shigaonkar Naik conducted the proceedings. The credentials committee comprised Kedar Naik and Nilkant Naik. The welcome address was delivered by Gopinath Vaman Rao.

A condolence resolution was moved from the chair, condoling the death of martyrs and other departed leaders. These included Yasser Arafat, E K Nayanar, Nripen Chakraborty and M V Narasimha Reddy. Two-minute silence was observed by the delegates in memory of the departed comrades.

Delivering the inaugural address, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Dr M K Pandhe dwelt on the present international and national situation and the tasks before the party. He explained the real intention behind the so-called democratisation of nations launched by the United States. The aim of the US imperialism is to establish its hegemony throughout the world, and the war on Afghanistan and Iraq were a means to that end. The US is also targeting the remaining socialist countries like North Korea and Cuba, said Pandhe. He, however, pointed to the positive trends also, like the resistance to imperialist domination as seen in Iraq and many Latin American countries where Leftists have been brought to power. He underlined the tremendous progress made by China and traced it to the socialist path of development.

Analysing the national situation, Pandhe emphasised the need for sustained pressure on the new UPA government through struggles for getting the CMP promises implemented. He explained how the condition of the toiling masses had sharply worsened during the BJP led NDA rule. He said the people expect the present UPA government to undo the damage done by the previous government and adopt pro-people policies. In this connection he highlighted the importance of the common minimum programme (CMP) which was accepted and adopted by all the constituents of the alliance and supporting parties. Pandhe underlined the need to improve the influence of the party among the masses and increase its membership. He said imparting ideological education to its cadres and supporters is crucial for the party’s development. He also stressed on raising the political consciousness of all the toiling people in general.

Two resolutions were adopted by the conference – one on unemployment and another on the political and economic situation in Goa.

S S Naik placed the general secretary’s report in the conference and seven delegates participated in the ensuing discussion on the report. After the reply by S S Naik to the points raised by the delegates during the discussion, the report was unanimously adopted by the conference. Later the conference also unanimously adopted the statement of accounts which R Fernandes presented.

A 15-member new state committee of the party was unanimously elected by the conference, the proposal for which was placed by S S Naik. The state secretary will be elected at the next meeting of the state committee. It was also decided that the state secretary would be the delegate to the 18th party congress to be held in New Delhi.

Thereafter, Pandhe delivered his concluding address in which he called for formulation of a programme of action to develop the movement. He stressed that all state committee members should devote their time for party work and asked the leaders to take a leading role in building the party and propagating its message. He asked the cadre to regularly read party literature and conduct study classes for the benefit of members and activists.

On organisational matters, Pandhe explained the importance of discipline in party functioning. He concluded by saying that the gist of the political and organisational report and conference resolutions must be widely disseminated among the people.