People's Democracy

From Our Special Correspondent in Kolkata

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury noted that there was a chilling similarity between the campaign behind the rise of Adolf Hitler in 1930s and Narendra Modi in 2013. Addressing the memorial meeting of Comrade Samar Mukherjee in Kolkata, Yechury said that there was a consensus on neo-liberal economic policies between the Congress and the BJP. These policies have resulted in growing unemployment and despite incentives and concessions to big capital, the industrial growth has stagnated. The corporate class is now trying to pose Modi as the rescuer and a well organised advertisement campaign is being run. The similarity between the desperate attempts to pose Hitler after Great Depression and Modi-praise cannot be missed. What India needs is not “netas” or leaders, but alternative policies that can strengthen the purchasing power of the people and give fillip to production and investment. Mere dependence on FDI will bear no fruit.

The meeting, organised by the CPI(M) West Bengal state committee was presided over by Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. The leaders of the Left Front and other Left parties were present. The hall was overcrowded and many listened to speeches standing outside the Pramode Dasgupta Hall.

Biman Basu termed Comrade Samar Mukherjee as an exemplary communist and recalled his untiring fighting spirit, without caring for dangers. He called upon the gathering to learn the lesson of selfless dedication to fight against the incessant attack on democracy in the state. Only sustained and patient struggles can bring a change in the political atmosphere of the state, he said.

Sitaram Yechury said that in his 73 years in Communist movement, Comrade Samarda was totally free of material, moral or positional corruption. He never allowed anything extraneous to come in the way of his ideological, political, organisational judgements. Once taken, he never showed any vacillation to implement any decision. His approach had a magnetic effect on the people around.

Ashok Ghosh, veteran leader of Forward Block said, Comrade Samar Mukherjee started his journey fighting the British imperialism and continued to fight for the real emancipation of the countrymen. He was a true patriot.

Md Amin recalled that Comrade Samar Mukherjee had even left his family to dedicate his whole life to the cause of the people. He spent a spartan life and commanded great respect from all political quarters.

CPI state secretary Manju Kumar Majumdar, RSP state secretary Khiti Goswami also spoke on the occasion.