[Press statement issued by the politbureau of the CPI(M))]
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its deep shock at the death of 14 people in Rajasthan. It strongly condemns the police firing in Dausa, Bundi and other places which led to most of the deaths. Some policemen have also been killed.
The agitation by the Gujjar community took place because of the promise made by the BJP before the elections to provide them with scheduled tribe status. The failure of the government to deal with the matter politically has led to the violence and the needless deaths in police firing.
The BJP government headed by Vasundhara Raje has become notorious for its heavy-handed police repression on popular movements. The kisan movement faced brutal repression and six people were killed. The BJP leadership which hypocritically tried to exploit the Nandigram incident should take strong action against its state government.
The Polit Bureau demands that the state government order a judicial enquiry into the incidents and pay adequate compensation to the families of those who have died.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Left's letter to PM on Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority
Dear Dr. Manmohan Singhji,
The Interim Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has put out an invitation for Expressions of Interest for sponsoring a Pension Fund under the New Pension Scheme.
As you are aware, the Left parties have been opposed to PFRDA Bill. We have had a number of rounds of discussions on the matter in the UPA government-Left Coordination meeting. The Bill has not been taken up for adoption pending this.
It is, therefore, surprising that the PFRDA has proceeded to operationalise the pension scheme. In the name of an interim step, some of the objectionable features of the Bill are going to be put in place. We wish to register our strong disapproval of this move.
We fail to understand how the Finance Minister has cleared this step, when he is fully aware of our strong and continuing objections. The Central and state government employees' organisations have also expressed their opposition.
We request you to put on hold the process of appointing pension fund managers initiated by the PFRDA. Instead, the funds may be placed with the Employees Provident Fund Organisation till a final decision is taken on the new pension scheme.
With regards
Yours Sincerely
Prakash Karat, General Secretary, CPI(M)
A. B. Bardhan, General Secretary, CPI
Debabrata Biswas, General Secretary, AIFB
Abani Roy, Secretary, RSP
The Interim Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has put out an invitation for Expressions of Interest for sponsoring a Pension Fund under the New Pension Scheme.
As you are aware, the Left parties have been opposed to PFRDA Bill. We have had a number of rounds of discussions on the matter in the UPA government-Left Coordination meeting. The Bill has not been taken up for adoption pending this.
It is, therefore, surprising that the PFRDA has proceeded to operationalise the pension scheme. In the name of an interim step, some of the objectionable features of the Bill are going to be put in place. We wish to register our strong disapproval of this move.
We fail to understand how the Finance Minister has cleared this step, when he is fully aware of our strong and continuing objections. The Central and state government employees' organisations have also expressed their opposition.
We request you to put on hold the process of appointing pension fund managers initiated by the PFRDA. Instead, the funds may be placed with the Employees Provident Fund Organisation till a final decision is taken on the new pension scheme.
With regards
Yours Sincerely
Prakash Karat, General Secretary, CPI(M)
A. B. Bardhan, General Secretary, CPI
Debabrata Biswas, General Secretary, AIFB
Abani Roy, Secretary, RSP
Friday, May 18, 2007
Bomb blast in Hyderabad
[Statement issued by the politbureau of the CPI(M)]
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the bomb blast in Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad. This terrorist attack has led to the death of seven people and injuries to 35.
The fact that such an attack has taken place in a mosque during Friday prayers shows the diabolic intent of provoking communal violence. It is of the utmost importance to preserve communal harmony and peace to foil the designs of the nefarious elements.
The Polit Bureau appeals to the people of Hyderabad to maintain communal amity and peace. The police and security authorities should take all necessary measures to apprehend the culprits.
The Polit Bureau conveys its heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have died.
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the bomb blast in Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad. This terrorist attack has led to the death of seven people and injuries to 35.
The fact that such an attack has taken place in a mosque during Friday prayers shows the diabolic intent of provoking communal violence. It is of the utmost importance to preserve communal harmony and peace to foil the designs of the nefarious elements.
The Polit Bureau appeals to the people of Hyderabad to maintain communal amity and peace. The police and security authorities should take all necessary measures to apprehend the culprits.
The Polit Bureau conveys its heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have died.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
UP Assembly election results
[Statement issued by the politbureau of the CPI(M)]
The people of Uttar Pradesh have given a clear verdict in favour of the Bahujan Samaj Party. With the BSP getting an absolute majority, the way has been cleared for a single party government after nearly one and a half decades. It remains to be seen how the new government headed by Ms. Mayawati will fulfill the expectations of the people.
The verdict in UP has been significant in its rejection of the communal politics of the BJP. The fact that the BJP has lost both in terms of seats and percentage of votes shows how the people refused to be swayed by divisive communal issues. In contrast, the Samajwadi Party has retained its electoral base even though it has lost the elections. The defeat of the SP is mainly due to the lawlessness and criminal activities under its regime and the gathering of all the anti-incumbency vote around the BSP.
The elections have shown the strong influence of caste appeal in the state which has been adversely affecting the prospects of the Left. The CPI(M) and the Left will have to take this reality into account in formulating its strategy to project an independent platform based on the real issues affecting the people.
The people of Uttar Pradesh have given a clear verdict in favour of the Bahujan Samaj Party. With the BSP getting an absolute majority, the way has been cleared for a single party government after nearly one and a half decades. It remains to be seen how the new government headed by Ms. Mayawati will fulfill the expectations of the people.
The verdict in UP has been significant in its rejection of the communal politics of the BJP. The fact that the BJP has lost both in terms of seats and percentage of votes shows how the people refused to be swayed by divisive communal issues. In contrast, the Samajwadi Party has retained its electoral base even though it has lost the elections. The defeat of the SP is mainly due to the lawlessness and criminal activities under its regime and the gathering of all the anti-incumbency vote around the BSP.
The elections have shown the strong influence of caste appeal in the state which has been adversely affecting the prospects of the Left. The CPI(M) and the Left will have to take this reality into account in formulating its strategy to project an independent platform based on the real issues affecting the people.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
On EC's directive to the BJP in the CD case
[Statement issues by the politbureau of the CPI(M)]
The Election Commission has directed the BJP to publicly condemn the contents of the CD issued by it during the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. This should have been done before the elections were over in UP. The CPI(M), in its representation to the Commission, had stated that it is not enough for the BJP to disassociate itself from the CD and that it should publicly apologise and condemn the contents of the CD.
The BJP leadership has to comply with the decision of the Election Commission and issue an unqualified condemnation of the contents of the CD. In case it fails to do so, the Election Commission should take further action, so that the use of communal propaganda and hate campaign during the elections is put an end to.
The Election Commission has directed the BJP to publicly condemn the contents of the CD issued by it during the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. This should have been done before the elections were over in UP. The CPI(M), in its representation to the Commission, had stated that it is not enough for the BJP to disassociate itself from the CD and that it should publicly apologise and condemn the contents of the CD.
The BJP leadership has to comply with the decision of the Election Commission and issue an unqualified condemnation of the contents of the CD. In case it fails to do so, the Election Commission should take further action, so that the use of communal propaganda and hate campaign during the elections is put an end to.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Reject US terms for nuclear cooperation
[Press statement issued by the politbureau of the CPI(M)]
The letter written by seven US Congressmen to the Prime Minister demanding that India terminate cooperation with Iran in the energy sector and military spheres is the latest instance of US pressure to abide by its conditions for concluding the nuclear cooperation agreement. This is the second letter within a fortnight, the earlier one by eight US senators.
The Hyde Act passed by the US Congress had set out unacceptable terms on how India should conduct itself with regard to Iran and other foreign policy issues. The CPI(M) has repeatedly pointed out that the nuclear cooperation agreement entails a much wider strategic alignment which will seriously damage India's foreign policy and strategic autonomy.
The CPI(M) was of the opinion that the 123 agreement should not be negotiated with the United States without clarifying all the issues which were raised in the Prime Minister's statement in parliament. With the 123 agreement being negotiated and the US mounting steady pressure, it is imperative that the government make a statement in parliament about both the status of the negotiations and on how the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline project is progressing. The parliament and the people have to be informed on these two vital issues.
The letter written by seven US Congressmen to the Prime Minister demanding that India terminate cooperation with Iran in the energy sector and military spheres is the latest instance of US pressure to abide by its conditions for concluding the nuclear cooperation agreement. This is the second letter within a fortnight, the earlier one by eight US senators.
The Hyde Act passed by the US Congress had set out unacceptable terms on how India should conduct itself with regard to Iran and other foreign policy issues. The CPI(M) has repeatedly pointed out that the nuclear cooperation agreement entails a much wider strategic alignment which will seriously damage India's foreign policy and strategic autonomy.
The CPI(M) was of the opinion that the 123 agreement should not be negotiated with the United States without clarifying all the issues which were raised in the Prime Minister's statement in parliament. With the 123 agreement being negotiated and the US mounting steady pressure, it is imperative that the government make a statement in parliament about both the status of the negotiations and on how the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline project is progressing. The parliament and the people have to be informed on these two vital issues.
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