[Marxistindia] Letter to Election Commission on Situation in Madurai Lok Sabha Constituency

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
April 29, 2009

Press Release

We are releasing herewith a letter addressed to the Chief Election
Commissioner by Prakash Karat, CPI(M) General Secretary, on the
situation prevailing in the Madurai Parliamentary Constituency in
Tamilnadu where the CPI(M) candidate P. Mohan is pitted against the DMK
candidate and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's son M K Azaghiri.

*******************

(Hari Singh Kang)

For Central Committee Office

Text of the Letter

April 28, 2009

The Chief Election Commissioner

Election Commission of India

New Delhi

Dear Shri Chawla,

I am writing to you regarding the situation prevailing in the Madurai
Lok Sabha constituency in Tamilnadu. Our Party candidate, Shri P. Mohan,
is contesting this seat. The DMK has put up M.K. Azhagiri, who is the
son of the Chief of the state. The past few weeks have witnessed gross
misuse of the official machinery and an unprecedented use of money and
goods to lure voters. There have been physical attacks against the
CPI(M) workers including an MLA.

In a recent by-election to the legislative assembly in Thirumangalam in
Tamilnadu, there was an unprecedented use of money power. What we are
witnessing in Madurai is Thirumangalam on a larger scale.

I am enclosing a note listing out the complaints made by our Party and
the candidate's election agent. No effective and serious steps have been
taken to stop the malpractices and ensure a free and fair poll.

I urge you therefore to intervene in the matter and see that the
District Election Officer, the City Police Commissioner and the Public
Relations Officer are immediately transferred out of their present
responsibilities. Impartial offices must be assigned poll duties. The
Commission should send special observers to see that there is no misuse
of the official machinery and the blatant violation of the Model Code of
Conduct is put a halt to.

I wish to emphasise that immediate action needs to be taken if the polls
are not to be vitiated in Madurai.

Sd/-

(Prakash Karat)

General Secretary

encl: Note on the situation in Madurai Parliamentary Constituency

************************

NOTE ON MISUSE OF OFFICIAL MACHINERY, VIOLATION OF MODEL CODE,

ADOPTING UNFAIR/UNLAWFUL METHODS FOR SOLICITING VOTES

AND FAILURE OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION

TO STOP ALL THESE ACTIVITIES

IN THE GENERAL ELECTIONS (2009)

FOR THE MADURAI PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

IN TAMILNADU

The Communist Party of India (Marxist), which is contesting the
15thGeneral Elections (2009) from the Madurai Parliamentary Constituency
has been continuously bringing to the knowledge of the Chief Electoral
Officer, Tamilnadu about various forms of malpractices and misuse of
official machinery by the ruling party to influence the voters in the
elections. Though various well meaning warnings had been issued by the
CEO it had little effect on such nefarious activities of the ruling
party and its leaders here and such activities are on the increase as
the date of election draws closer. The ruling DMK and its candidate had
invented new forms to bribe the voters and influence their decision. The
District administration instead of intervening for the conduct of free
and fair elections is aiding and abetting the unlawful methods adopted
by the DMK candidate. The instances listed below explain the nature of
such complaints given by the District Secretary, MLA and Election Agent
of our party and other wings of the party.

1. Complaint against distribution of consumer goods to voters by
the DMK (dated 03.03.2009)

2. Complaint against conducting Medical camp in the name of
birthday celebration of the DMK candidate (dated 03.03.2009)

3. Complaint against the District Election Officer for not taking
action against violation of model code of conduct (dated
05.03.2009)
4. Complaint against bulk applications for inclusion in the voters
list (dated 20.03.2009)
5. Complaint against distribution of cash, sarees etc to the voters
by the DMK and distribution of cash to self help groups (dated
28.03.2009)
6. Complaint against distribution of money to the voters by the DMK
(dated 31.03.2009)
7. Complaint against using the marriage halls for preparing pockets
of cash by the DMK (dated 03.04.2009)
8. Complaint on utilising places of worship for electoral campaign
by DMK candidate (dated 08.04.2009)
9. Complaint by Nanmaran MLA (CPI –M) for changing the District
Collector of Madurai for his partisan behaviour (dated
15.04.2009)
10. Complaint of inaction by the police against the murderous attack
on Mr.Vijaya Rajan party member (dated 15.04.2009)

11. Complaint against disruption of CPI (M) election meeting by DMK
men (dated 16.04.2009)
12. Complaint against misuse of police machinery to arrest our
cadres on false complaints by the ruling party (dated
16.04.2009)
13. Complaint against inaction by the police against the murderous
attack on Mr.Nanmaran.MLA (dated 17.04.2009)
14. Complaint against misuse of office by the Public Relations
Officer for electoral campaigns of the DMK candidate (dated
18.04.2009)
15. Complaint against distribution of 'tokens' to the voters by the
DMK men in Madurai Lok Sabha constituency (dated 22.04.2009)).

Many of these complaints were handed over to the Chief Electoral Officer
in the state then and there. In spite of bringing these things to the
notice of the authorities in time, no serious action for stopping such
activities has been taken so far. This had strengthened the hands of the
perpetrators of such unlawful electioneering methods. If the District
Election Officer, City Commissioner of Police and the PRO are not
immediately transferred out of their present assignment, the election in
Madurai Parliamentary constituency would become a farce.

We urge the Election Commission to take immediate measures to stop the
gross malpractices occuring in this parliamentary constituency. We
request you to post honest and impartial officials for poll duties in
the constituency. We also request you to send special observers in view
of the blatant use of illegal money power and misuse of official
machinery.

eom
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[Marxistindia] P.B. statements

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued
the following statements:

Quottrocchi Case

The withdrawal of the interpol red corner notice against Ottavio
Quottrocchi at the behest of the CBI is another step to bury the Bofors
gun case by the Manmohan Singh government. Coming in the wake of the
failure to successfully prosecute all those involved in the bribery
case, it is evident that as long as there is a Congress-led government
in office, the subversion of justice will continue.

The Congress leadership has to answer to the people for this cover-up.

Gujarat Investigations

The decision of the Supreme Court directing the Special Investigation
Team (SIT) to probe complaints against the Gujarat Chief Minister
Narendra Modi and other Cabinet Ministers and top officials for their
role in the State-sponsored pogroms of 2002 is a welcome step, though a
belated one. It is now imperative that the SIT investigate the complaint
and submit their conclusions within the three month time frame set by
the court.

It is shameful that the BJP continues to defend those responsible for
the carnage in Gujarat.

On Sri Lanka Situation

The decision of the Sri Lankan government to halt combat operations
using heavy weapons and airplanes is welcome. This should open the way
for the rescue of the tens of thousands of the Tamil civilian population
who are still in the war zone. The LTTE has to stop holding the people
by force and facilitate their safe passage.

The Sri Lankan government should allow the International Red Cross and
other agencies to enter the affected areas.

eom

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[Marxistindia] Memo to ECI on Darjeeling Situation

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)

Memo Submitted to the Election Commission by Sitaram Yechury on the
Situation in Darjeeling

April 25, 2009

Shri Navin B. Chawla
Chief Election Commissioner
Election Commission of India
Nirvachan Sadan
Ashoka Road, New Delhi

Dear Shri Navin Chawla,

I was recently in Darjeeling to address an election meeting of the CPI(M)
candidate on April 21, 2009. Such a meeting could be held after some
years due to the fact that the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha spearheading the
movement for a separate `Gorkhaland' had created an atmosphere of fear and
terror threatening any one opposing them of grave consequences if they
held any political rallies in the hills.

I wish to complement the CEC also for creating an atmosphere which has
permitted the possibility of holding such meetings.

You will recall that I had met you and your colleague Shri Quraishi on
April 7, 2009 and handed over a memorandum requesting the CEC to take
certain measures to ensure a free and fair election in these hills. I had
also submitted a CD recording an inflammatory speech of Shri Bimal
Gurung.

During the course of my visit, various sections of the people had brought
to my notice many instances of terror that may prevent the conduct of a
free and fair election. I am summarising some of the major suggestions
that I had received.

I would be grateful if the EC could give a serious consideration to the
following.

1.The EC must immediately launch a more intense campaign with wider reach
to assure the people that their votes would remain secret. This is
imperative to dispel fears that the voters could be identified
subsequently and harassed/attacked etc.
2.CRPF should be deployed as early as possible in the hill areas and flag
marches undertaken to restore voters' confidence

3.The Gorkha Land Personnel (GLP) camp at Gorubathan must be immediately
dismantled and proceedings drawn up as per the law of the land against all
the personnel involved in the camp, as trainers, trainees and
administrative. Please ensure that no civilians are allowed to wear/use
Army fatigues.
4.The CRPF should be maintained beyond the date of the election, April
30, 2009, to prevent post-poll violence that we apprehend, and to keep
pre-poll peace that the people desire.

While complementing the EC for the conduct of election so far, I am sure
that these suggestions would be seriously consider to further improve the
conduct of free and fair elections.

With regards,

Yours sincerely

(Sitaram Yechury)

Copy to:
1)Shri S. Y. Quraishi, Election Commissioner, Election Commission of
India, New Delhi
2)Shri V. S. Sampath, Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India,
New Delhi

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[Marxistindia] on Srilanka Situation, Israeli Satellite Launch & Trilateral Naval Exercise

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
April 24, 2009

Press Statement

On Sri Lankan Situation

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its deep concern at the plight
of the thousands of Tamil civilians who are trapped in the war zone in
northern Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan government should heed the call of
the UN Security Council and take urgent measures, including cessation of
hostilities, to rescue civilians who are being forcibly held by the
LTTE. The Sri Lankan government should allow relief agencies, including
the Red Cross, to access the war zone.

The CPI(M) considers the saving of the lives of the civilian population
as of paramount concern. The LTTE should stop its futile resistance.

The government of India has to impress upon the Sri Lankan government
that it cannot carry on military hostilities in a situation where the
lives of thousands of people are at stake.

Israeli Satellite Launch

The Congress-led government has been surreptitiously forging a deep
security and military collaboration with Israel. The launching of
Israeli spy satellites is just one aspect of this collaboration which is
part of the overall India-Israel-US axis. The launch of an Israeli-made
spy satellite and the trilateral joint naval exercises off the coast of
Japan are the two latest instances.

The Israeli-made satellite, RISAT-2, launched by ISRO on April 20 has
raised many questions. It may be recalled that in January 2008, ISRO had
launched an Israeli satellite TECSAR which the Israelis are using for
surveillance of their neighbouring countries.

At that time, the UPA government refused to confirm what is widely known
that India had entered into an agreement with Israel for the launch of
three of its spy satellites.

The RISAT-2 satellite has been made by the Israel Aerospace Industries
(IAI) which has been given a Rs. 10,000 crore contract for missile
production recently.

The RISAT-2 satellite has been parked in the same orbit of 41 degree
inclination as the earlier TECSAR satellite which is being used by
Israel for surveillance of the Middle-East, including Iran. It has the
SAR technology used in TECSAR.

The Manmohan Singh government cannot obfuscate the issue. It must answer
clearly :

1. Is this launch part of the agreement arrived at with Israel for
launching its three spy satellites?

2. The government claims that RISAT-2 is meant for surveillance of
our borders but then why is this satellite in the same orbit as
the earlier Israeli TECSAR satellite?

3. Is the launching of the RISAT-2 a joint venture which involves
sharing intelligence with Israel?

Trilateral Naval Exercise

A joint navel exercise with the Indian-US-Japanese navies will be held
of the coast of Okinawa in Japan in the end of April. This is part of
the ongoing efforts by the United States to have a trilateral military
cooperation with India and Japan. In 2007 too, such a trilateral
exercise was held.

The Manmohan Singh government has, through the Defence Framework
Agreement, opened the way for India to be coopted into the US military
strategy in Asia. The CPI(M) strongly opposes such moves to make India
an appendage to the Pentagon's military strategy in Asia. The
Congress-led government has betrayed the country's sovereign interests
and an independent foreign policy. It is essential that the new
government formed after the election reverses this course.

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[Marxistindia] Five CPI(M) Workers Killed in Last Three Days

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
Five CPI(M) Men Killed in

Maoist Rampage in West Bengal

April 21, 2009

2 CPI(M) members were killed by Maoists in Salboni

Hambir Mandi and Shaktipada Sen were killed after being dragged out of
their houses.

April 22, 2009

Gopinath Murmu beaten to death in Saluka village, Lalgarh P.S

April 23, 2009

2 CPI(M) activists Bibhuti Singh Sardar and Baikuntho Mahato were killed
by Maoists in Supurdlh Village in Balarampur, Purulia District.

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[Marxistindia] Comrade Ahilya Rangnekar

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
April 19, 2009

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expresses
profound grief at the passing away of Comrade Ahilya Rangnekar, former
member of the Central Committee and veteran leader of the Party. She was
aged 87. She died in Mumbai today.

As a young student, Ahilya joined the freedom struggle fired by the
anti-imperialist zeal. She organised a demonstration of girl students to
protest the death of Mahatma Gandhi's secretary, Mahadevbhai Desai in
custody at the Aga Khan Palace. She was arrested and convicted for three
months and lodged at the Yeravada jail where she hoisted the Indian
tricolour on the wall of the jail.

In 1943 Ahilya began working among the textile workers of Mumbai. She
joined the Communist Party the same year. She played a pioneering role
in founding and building the democratic women's movement in India. She
was one of the founder members of the Parel Mahila Sangh in 1943 which
organised food for the striking sailors during the revolt by the Royal
Indian Navy (RIN) ratings in 1946. Ahilya was one of the founders of the
All India Democratic Women's Association. Later on she was elected as
its national working president.

She was one of the leaders of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement for
linguistic reorganisation of the state of Maharashtra. Along with many
other communist leaders, she was detained by the Government of India
under the Defence of India Rules at the time of the India-China border
conflict. In 1972 she along with Mrinal Gore and others led the famous
anti-price rise movement in the state. She was the first women leader to
be arrested and put behind bars during the hated Emergency in 1975.

Comrade Ahilya served the Communist Party with utmost dedication and
distinction for more than six decades. She was secretary of the
Maharashtra State Committee of the Party between 1983 and 1986. She was
elected to the Central Committee of the Party at its Jalandhar Congress
in 1978 and stepped down in 2005 owing to age and ill health.

She was in jail for more than seven years and remained underground for
two years.

She was continuously elected to the Mumbai Municipal Corporation from
1957 to 1977. In 1977 she was elected to the Lok Sabha from Central
Mumbai.

Her simplicity and affable nature endeared her to her comrades and the
people. Her sterling qualities as a leader earned her all round love and
respect. In her death the Party has lost one of its outstanding leaders.
Her life and work will continue to inspire many generations to come.

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) pays
respectful homage to her memory. It conveys its heartfelt condolences to
her two sons Ajit and Abhay and other family members.

eom

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[Marxistindia] PB on BJP's Swiss Accounts Task Force Report

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
April 18, 2009

Press Release

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued
the following statement:

BJP's Swiss Accounts Task Force Report: A Self Goal

Mr. L.K. Advani released a report of a task force constituted to
recommend measures to bring Indian funds illegally stashed away in Swiss
banks and other tax havens, yesterday in Mumbai. This BJP's task force
report quotes (page 8) from a study by Washington based Global Financial
Integrity: "The GFI study shows that during the period from 2002 to
2006, annually$27.3 billions were stashed away from India". If this is
true, then nearly $55 billion worth of illicit transfers occurred in the
two year period, 2002 to 2004, under the BJP-led NDA Government itself,
in which Mr. Advani was the Deputy Prime Minister and the Home Minister.
What did he do to prevent such illegal transfers when he was in power?

The BJP's task force has arrived at a total figure of Rs. 25 lakh crore
of Indian wealth being held in tax havens on the basis of the following
argument: "So the amount of Indian black wealth secreted away in the
last 60 years – estimated at from $500 billions [Rs 25 lakh crores] to
$1400 billions [Rs 70 lakh crores] – does not seem to be wide off the
mark, if the GFI estimate for the 5-year period 2002-06 is considered."
Going by the BJP's estimate, around $ 164 billion or over 30% of the
total stock of illicit money would have been accumulated during the six
years of NDA rule!

The task force report is nothing but a hoax to cover up for the misdeeds
of the erstwhile BJP led Government. The BJP led Government did nothing
to review the tax avoidance treaty (Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement)
with Mauritius during its tenure despite repeated demands by the CPI
(M). The Mauritius route remains to be the largest conduit for the
evasion of capital gains tax and corporate taxes, as far as India is
concerned. Mauritius accounts for 44% of cumulative FDI inflows into
India from April 2000 to November 2008. In contrast, the US and the UK
accounts for only 8% and 7% of India's FDI inflows. It is clear that
foreign companies are using the Mauritius route to evade Indian taxes.
The BJP's task force is completely silent on this aspect.

The BJP task force report (page 16) mentions about Participatory Notes
and claims: "Actually the Indian rules permit a Switzerland in India.
How can India call for action against Switzerland when it permits a
mini-Switzerland in India?" However, FII investment through the
non-transparent Participatory Notes was permitted without any
restriction during the NDA rule too, so much so that by the end of its
tenure in 2004, investments under the PN route accounted for nearly 50%
of total FII inflows. What credibility does the BJP has to criticize
these policies today?

The CPI (M) and the Left Parties have been consistent in demanding a
thorough review of the tax avoidance agreements with Mauritius and other
countries, banning of Participatory Notes and restoration of the
long-term capital gains tax which was abolished by the BJP led UPA
Government in 2004 in order to encourage the speculators. It is another
matter that the Congress led UPA Government, given its proclivity to
appease speculative financial interests, did precious little to salvage
the situation.

The global financial meltdown and economic crisis has brought the issue
of tax evasion by corporates, financial entities and the super-rich into
sharp focus. Governments across the world are taking steps to crack down
on tax havens like British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands etc. The Swiss
Banks are being asked to disclose information on their account holders
in order to track down assets built through tax evasion. The Indian
Government, however, has so far remained impervious to this growing
global concern. In a press release dated 23rdFebruary (much before this
issue appeared on BJP's radar) the CPI (M) had demanded: "It is
imperative that the UPA government demand from Swiss banks and from
banks in tax havens details of accounts of Indians. In the case of
India, it is not only a case of tax evasion but also of funds being
illegally stashed abroad, or, used for money laundering. If the
government is serious about stopping black money and raising resources
to meet the growing economic crisis, it must take steps to bring back
the unaccounted, or, ill-gotten wealth of Indians abroad".

CPI (M) reiterates the following policy steps prescribed in the Election
Manifesto (page 15):

* Effective taxation of speculative capital gains by restoring
Long-Term Capital Gains Tax and increasing Securities
Transaction Tax

* Launching a drive to unearth black money, especially those
stashed in Swiss Banks and other offshore tax havens

* Plugging the Mauritius route; Reviewing Double Taxation
Avoidance Agreement with Mauritius and other countries

* Prohibiting Participatory Notes used by the Foreign
Institutional Investors (FIIs) and discouraging speculative
finance

* Reversing moves towards Full Capital Account Convertibility

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[Marxistindia] Reflections by Fidel Castro

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)

Cuba, Reflections by comrade Fidel: Not a Word About the Blockade

Not A Word About The Blockade

The U.S. administration announced through CNN that Obama would be
visiting Mexico this week, in the first part of a trip that will take
him to Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, where he will be within four
days taking part in the Summit of the Americas. He has announced the
relief of some hateful restrictions imposed by Bush to Cubans living in
the United States regarding their visits to relatives in Cuba. When
questions were raised on whether such prerogatives extended to other
American citizens the response was that the latter were not authorized.

But not a word was said about the harshest of measures: the blockade.
This is the way a truly genocidal measure is piously called, one whose
damage cannot be calculated only on the basis of its economic effects,
for it constantly takes human lives and brings painful suffering to our
people.

Numerous diagnostic equipment and crucial medicines --made in Europe,
Japan or any other country-- are not available to our patients if they
carry U.S. components or software.

The U.S. companies producing goods or offering services anywhere in the
world should apply these restrictions to Cuba, since they are
extraterritorial measures.

An influential Republican Senator, Richard Lugar, and some others from
his same party in Congress, as well as a significant number of his
Democratic peers, favor the removal of the blockade. The conditions
exist for Obama to use his talents in a constructive policy that could
put an end to the one that has failed for almost half a century.

On the other hand, our country, which has resisted and is willing to
resist whatever it takes, neither blames Obama for the atrocities of
other U.S. administrations nor doubts his sincerity and his wishes to
change the United States policy and image. We understand that he waged a
very difficult battle to be elected, despite centuries-old prejudices.

Taking note of this reality, the President of the State Council of Cuba
has expressed his willingness to have a dialogue with Obama and to
normalize relations with the United States, on the basis of the
strictest respect for the sovereignty of our country.

At 2:30 p.m., the head of the Interests Section of Cuba in Washington,
Jorge Bolaños, was summoned to the State Department by Deputy Secretary
of State Thomas Shannon. He did not say anything different from what had
been indicated by the CNN.

At 3:15 p.m. a lengthy press conference started. The substance of what
was said there is reflected in the words of Dan Restrepo, Presidential
Adviser for Latin America.

He said that today President Obama had instructed to take certain
measures, certain steps, to reach out to the Cuban people in support of
their wishes to live with respect for human rights and to determine
their own destiny and that of the country.

He added that the president had instructed the secretaries of State,
Commerce and Treasury to undertake the necessary actions to remove all
restrictions preventing persons to visit their relatives in the Island
and sending remittances. He also said that the president had issued
instructions for steps to be taken allowing the free flow of information
in Cuba, and between those living in Cuba and the rest of the world, and
to facilitate delivering humanitarian resources directly to the Cuban
people.

He also said that with these measures, aimed at closing the gap between
divided Cuban families and promoting the free flow of information and
humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people, President Obama was making
an effort to fulfill the objectives he set out during his campaign and
after taking on his position.

Finally, he indicated that all those who believe in the basic democratic
values hope for a Cuba where the human, political, economic and basic
rights of the entire people are respected. And he added that President
Obama feels that these measures will help to make this objective a
reality. The president, he said, encourages everyone who shares these
wishes to continue to decidedly support the Cuban people.

At the end of the press conference, the adviser candidly confessed that
'all of this is for Cuba's freedom.'

Cuba does not applaud the ill-named Summits of the Americas, where our
nations do not debate on equal footing. If they were of any use, it
would be to make critical analyses of policies that divide our peoples,
plunder our resources and hinder our development.

Now, the only thing left is for Obama to try to persuade all of the
Latin American presidents attending the conference that the blockade is
harmless.

Cuba has resisted and it will continue to resist; it will never beg for
alms. It will go on forward holding its head up high and cooperating
with the fraternal peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean; with or
without Summits of the Americas; whether or not the president of the
United States is Obama, a man or a woman, a black or a white citizen.

Fidel Castro Ruz

April 13, 2009

6:12 p.m.

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[Marxistindia] complaint to EC -- communal appeal in Gujarat

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
April 8, 2009

Press Release

We are releasing the text of the complaint made to the Election
Commission by Com. Brinda Karat, Member, polit Bureau, CPI(M) against
the communal appeal made by the Sri Ram Sewa Samity in Gujarat.

(Hari Singh Kang)

for CPI(M) Central Committee office

Sir,

This is to draw the attention of the Central Election Commission to a
communal appeal issued in Mehsana Gujarat by an organization called Sri
Ram Sewa Samity. A copy was given to me on my recent visit to Gujarat.

The appeal is to rouse Hindu sentiments alleging that the Government of
India led by the Congress party is challenging the very existence of
Ram. Although this is issued against the Congress, a party we are
opposing, we believe that such appeals and propaganda based on
falsifications polarize the electorate on communal lines and vitiate the
political environment, thus going beyond party concerns..

I hope the Election Commission will take appropriate action.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Sd/-

Brinda Karat

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[Marxistindia] 4th list of CPI(M) candidates

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
Fourth and Final List of Seats Being Contested by the CPI(M) and its
candidates

Tamilnadu

Madurai -- P Mohan
Kanyakumari -- A.V. Bellarmin
Coimbatore -- P.R. Natarajan

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[Marxistindia] Memorandum to Election Commission on Situation in Darjeeling

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
April 7, 2009

Press Release

Shri Sitaram Yechury, member, Polit Bureau of CPI(M) and Shri Nilotpal
Basu, member, Central Secretariat of CPI(M) met the Election Commission
today and submitted a memorandum.

The copy of the memorandum presented on the serious situation in the
three hill sub-divisions of the Darjeeling Parliament Constituency in
West Bengal and the need for creating an appropriate atmosphere for the
holding of free and fair elections, is given below:

----------------------------------

April 7, 2009

To

The Election Commission of India

Nirvachan Sadan

Ashoka Road, New Delhi

Dear Sir,

With a great sense of concern and anguish, we would like to draw your
attention to the abnormal situation prevailing in the 4-Darjeeling
Parliament constituency in the state of West Bengal where the right of
Left Front nominated CPI(M) candidate Shri Jibesh Sarkar is being
undermined by the terror unleashed by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM).

At the outset, we would give you the background of the present
situation. In three hill sub-divisions viz Darjeeling, Kurseong and
Kalimpong which fall under 4-Darjeeling Parliamentary Constituency, it
is the GJM which is dominating physically with force and violence
pursuing the separatist slogan of Gorkhaland. The GJM is playing havoc
by not allowing other parties, particularly the CPI(M) to campaign in
those hill areas.

Our Party have, time and again, informed the Election Commission, Chief
Election Officer, West Bengal, District Election Officer and other law
enforcing authorities about the prevailing situation, despite that no
perceptible improvement is there in the ground level condition.

The summary of the situation can be described as follows:

1. Our activists are not being allowed to move freely in their own
areas, not to speak of campaigning for the election

2. Those activists and supporters of the Party who attend the
meetings are threatened and social boycott is enforced through
the crude use of force and violence in the localities

3. CPI(M) Party district office was forced to be closed down
earlier on 27th March when our candidate Shri Jibesh Sarkar went
to Darjeeling for meeting the voters. He was forced to withdraw
from the area and the Party leadership was kept gheraoed for a
long time inside the Party office.

4. Our festoons and hoardings were not allowed to demonstrate in
different areas of Hills and the foot hills as well by the gangs
of the Morcha

5. The GJM is also threatening the Tibetan, Muslim and other
minority communities with dire consequences if they do not vote
for the Morcha-supported candidate. This complaint has also been
lodged with the All India Minority Commission which is an
independent constitutional body.

In the background of all these, we urge the Commission to take it up
with the CEO of West Bengal and other concerned authorities to ensure
that an appropriate atmosphere for a free and fair election is created
in the three assembly segments of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong
assembly segments of the 4-Darjeeling Parliament constituency. We
strongly feel that the security arrangement should not only been ensured
for the polling day but for the entire period of campaign in the run up
to the elections. We particularly draw your attention to the need for
ensuring the safety and security of our candidate and our activists and
sympathisers during this campaign period. We also urge strong action be
initiated against Shri Bimal Gurung, the GJM supremo for his vitriolic
speech intimidating the minorities like Tibetans and Muslims (content is
part of the CD placed in the annexure). We also request you to ensure
that official meetings for the constituency in which representatives of
political parties have to attend are held in Siliguri instead of
Darjeeling.

We also urge you that the counting of votes should take place in
Darjeeling, Siliguri and Islampur as in the past. In the event of the
counting for all the Assembly segments centrally at one place, we would
like to suggest that it should be held in Siliguri and not in
Darjeeling. Our apprehension is that it is not possible to hold the
counting in a normal and peaceful atmosphere in Darjeeling.

We are hereby appending all relevant past communications, as well as,
written and video material to substantiate our contention.

(Sitaram Yechury)

(Nilotpal Basu)

Member, Polit Bureau

Member, Central Secretariat

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