[Marxistindia] Obama visit -- countrywide protests on November 8

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
October 29, 2010

Press Statement

The Left parties - the CPI(M), CPI, AIFB and RSP -- have issued the following statement:

The President of the United States, Barack Obama is visiting India. Being the first Afro-American President and coming after the neo-conservative Bush regime, there were expectations of positive changes. These, however, have not materialized.

On this occasion, the Left parties have decided to organise a countrywide day of protest on November 8, 2010. The United States, as part of its global hegemonic designs, is pursuing policies which are inimical to the national sovereignty and the people's interests of many countries. As far as India is concerned, the United States is aggressively pressurising the government to adopt economic policies which are detrimental to the people in the name of a strategic alliance.

Contrary to the official view of the ruling establishment regarding the role being played by the United States, both globally and vis a vis India, the Left parties would like to convey the views of the vast mass of the people of India.

The Left parties will highlight the following issues on the protest day being organised on November 8:

1. Justice for the victims of the Bhopal Gas accident; to make Dow Chemicals pay for the damages and for the clean up of the factory site; US should extradite Warren Anderson to India to stand trial.

2. The United States should stop pressurizing India on foreign policy and to open up agriculture, retail trade, education and other services for American capital and multinational companies.

3. Scrap the Indo-US Defence Framework Agreement which seeks to convert India into a military ally of the United States. Stop pressurizing India to give up liability claims on US nuclear suppliers.

4. Withdraw the remaining 50,000 US troops in Iraq forthwith; have a political settlement in Afghanistan to establish an independent and neutral state and withdraw US-Nato forces immediately.

5. End the US embargo on Cuba; stop all assistance to Israel till it vacates the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories.

The Left parties call upon all its units to organise demonstrations and rallies on the above demands on November 8.

Sd/-

Prakash Karat [CPI(M)]
A.B. Bardhan [CPI]

Debabrata Biswas [AIFB]
Abani Roy [RSP]

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[Marxistindia] Rejoinder to Certain Press Reports -- Prakash Karat

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
October 26, 2010

Press Statement

Prakash Karat, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

Rejoinder to certain Press reports on Cambridge speech

There have been certain reports of my speech at the Memorial Conference for Victor Kiernan in Cambridge that are inaccurate in parts and misleading. Some agencies have attributed to me that I stated that we committed "a historical blunder" in not recognising the role played by caste in politics and society. It is also alleged that I said that Communists are "stuck in the forties" as far as their theory and practice is concerned.

I wish to make it clear that these remarks attributed to me are neither correct nor accurate. As far as caste is concerned what I said is as follows: "We should understand both in theory and practice how class structure in India is influenced by and integrated with structures of hierarchy, discrimination and oppression that are particular to Indian society reflected for instance in caste system." Stating that Communists recognise the role of caste in the socio-economic formations in India is far from saying what has been attributed to me.

Secondly, contrary to saying that Communists are stuck in the forties, what I pointed out was and I quote from my written notes:

"The bulk of the support for the Communist Parety even today comes from the movement areas and outlying region, where mainly in the 1941 to 1948 period the Communists succeeded in bringing together and leading the two main historical currents of people's struggles -- the struggle against the colonial power and the struggle of the rural masses for freedom from exploitation. Thus where the Communists brought the anti-imperialist and anti-landlord movements together and gave leadership to this united struggle, they gained mass support. Tebhaga (Bengal), North Malabar (Kerala), the tribal struggle (Tripura) the Telengana struggle are some instances."

I had concluded by saying that the agenda of the forties such as land reforms and struggle for land is still being pursued by the Communists.
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[Marxistindia] On Petrol Price Hike

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
October 18, 2010

Press Statement

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

On Petrol Price Hike

The public sector oil companies have increased the price of petrol by 70 to 72 paise per litre. This follows an increase in September of 27 paise per litre. The price of petrol has already been increased by Re. 1 per litre in the space of three weeks.

The CPI(M) strongly opposes this recurrent increase in the prices of petrol. By deregulating the petrol pricing, the government has opened the way for successive hikes in petrol prices.

The rise in petrol prices will further fuel inflation. The people who are suffering from continuous food inflation will be more burdened. There is no transparency in the pricing decision making.

The Polit Bureau calls upon the government to scrap the deregulation in petrol pricing.
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[Marxistindia] Prakash Karat on vote of confidence in Karnataka Assembly

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
October 12, 2010

Press Statement

Prakash Karat, General Secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist), has issued the following statement:

The vote of confidence conducted in the Karnataka Assembly was farcical and a gross violation of democratic norms. The CPI(M) reiterate that a proper vote of confidence must be taken in the Assembly in which all MLAs are allowed to participate and the vote recorded.

Without doing so, the Yeddyurappa government cannot be treated as having acquired a vote of confidence.

eom
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[Marxistindia] Brazen Constitutional Impropriety in Karnataka

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the unconstitutional and undemocratic manner in which the BJP state government in Karnataka has sought to continue to remain in office. Sixteen MLAs (eleven BJP and 5 independents) were disqualified and not allowed to enter the Assembly premises. As per the Supreme Court ruling in the Bommai judgement, a government has to prove its majority on the Floor of the House to continue in office. Any disqualification of an MLA can occur only after the vote when the party whip has been violated. Further, this cannot apply to independent MLAs. The Yeddyurappa government refused to have a division of votes in the House and relied on a voice vote to claim majority.

All this constitutes a brazen Constitutional impropriety and cannot be allowed. The Yeddyurappa government cannot remain in office unless it establishes its majority through a division of votes on the Floor of the Assembly.

eom
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[Marxistindia] CPI(M) Candidates for Bihar Assembly elections

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
S. No
Constituency
Candidate

01 (Phase 1)
Phulparas (Madhubani)
Vikramsila Devi(F)

02
Loukaha (Madhubani)
Satyanarayan Yadav

03
Chhatapur(Supoal
Balram Singh Yadav

04
Kishanganj
Abdulkalam Ajad

05
Dhamdaha (Purnea)
Omprakash Mehta

06
Purnea
Amit Kumar Sarkar

07
Saharsa
Vinod Kumar

08 (Phase 2)
Pipra (East Champaran)
Rammangal Prasad

09
Kusheshwar Sthan (Darbhanga)
Sangita Bharti (F)

10
Bahadurpur (Darbhanga)
Shyam Bharti

11
Kurhani (Muzffarpur)
Rampukar Sahni

12
Ujiyarpur (Samastipur)
Ajay Kumar

13
Vibhutipur (Samastipur)
Ramdev Varma (MLA)

14
Hasanpur (Samastipur)
Raghubansh Mukhiya

15(Phase 3)
Motihari (East Champaran)
Arbind Kumar

16
Hatua (Gopalganj)
Dudhnath Singh

17
Manjhi(Saran)
Satyendra Yadav

18
Taraiya (Saran)
Ahamad Ali

19(Phase 4)
Sahebpur Kamal (Begusarai)
Vidyanand Yadav

20
Begusarai
Mohammad Usman

21
Khagaria
Dange Singh

22
Kahalgaon (Bhagalpur)
Shriniwas Mandal

23
Lakhisarai
Ravi Vilochan Varma

24
Kumharar (Patna)
B Prasad

25(Phase 5)
Wazirganj(Gaya)
Shambhu Sharan Sharma

26
Rajauli (Nawada)
Premchandra Ram (Ex-MP)

27 (Phase 2)
Runni Saidpur(Sitamarhi)
Candidate to be decided

28 (Phase 3)
Louriya (West Champaran)
To be decided

29(Phase 6)
Buxer
To be decided

30 (Phase 6)
Sasaram (Rohtas)
To be decided

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[Marxistindia] PB communique

marxistindia
news from the cpi(m)
October 5, 2010

Press Communiqué

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met at New Delhi on October 4 and 5, 2010. It has issued the following statement:

On Ayodhya Judgement

The response of the people to the verdict of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has shown that the people find a settlement of the dispute by the judicial process acceptable. The general reaction of the people has been that the matter should not be once again used in a divisive manner.

The verdict for a three way division of the land is, however, based on "faith and belief". This aspect of the set of judgements is disturbing as it accords primacy to religious belief and faith over and above the facts and the record of evidence. It will set a dangerous precedent for the future. When the matter goes to the Supreme Court on appeal, it is to be hoped that this issue will be addressed.

The demolition of the Babri Masjid in December 1992 was a criminal offence and an assault on the secular principle. It is true that this was not a matter being considered by the Special Bench. However, there are apprehensions that the reasoning set out in the judgements may be taken as a post-facto justification for the demolition. The cases pertaining to the demolition which are being heard by other courts have to be seriously pursued.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) reiterates that in the secular democratic set-up ordained in the Constitution, the way to resolve the matter is through the judicial process and the decision of the Supreme Court would be final. The CPI(M) is confident that all sections of the people will uphold and support this course of action.

On Jammu & Kashmir

The Polit Bureau discussed the situation in the Kashmir Valley in the context of the all-party delegation to Jammu & Kashmir and the announcement by the Central government of its eight point plan.

The Polit Bureau reiterated that it is necessary to change the overall security strategy and the manner in which civil protests are being tackled. The eight point plan does not adequately reflect this change. The state government should expedite the release of all arrested persons during the four month-long agitation. Further, compensation should be paid not only to the families of those killed in police firings and also to the large number who have been injured. The rehabilitation package for the Kashmiri pandits who have been displaced should be implemented.

As for the appointment of interlocutors for initiating a dialogue with all sections in the state, it will be better if there is a parliamentary or political committee to conduct talks. Only a political committee can seriously conduct exercise of initiating dialogue.

West Bengal

The Polit Bureau heard a report on the political situation in West Bengal. The people of the Maoist-affected Jangalmahal have been resisting and protesting against the Maoist violence and intimidation. The people have mobilized in a big way to rebuff the Maoists in West Midnapore district. Upset at this development, the Trinamul leader Ms. Mamata Banerjee is demanding the withdrawal of the joint forces operating in the area and making wild allegations against the CPI(M).

Not only is the Trinamul Congress collaborating with the Maoists, recently the Railway Minister visited Darjeeling and is forging ties with the GJM who are bent upon dividing the state of West Bengal.

The CPI(M) and the Left Front will continue to expose these unprincipled alliances and fight such disruptive politics.

Kerala

The Polit Bureau heard a report on the preparations of the Party and the LDF for the forthcoming panchayat and local bodies elections to be held in Kerala on October 23 and 25. The election campaign of the LDF has begun and is receiving a positive response from the people.

Bihar Assembly Elections

The Polit Bureau discussed the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections. It approved a list of 30 seats and candidates to be put up by the Bihar state committee.

Food Inflation and Food Security

The food inflation rate has again started rising and it touched 16.44 per cent in the week ending September 18. While the people are suffering from the price rise, the government is finding excuses such as floods and rains for the destruction of supplies. At this time of the season normally prices decline, this has highlighted the failure of the government to check price rise.

The Central government has ignored the directive of the Supreme Court to distribute the huge stocks of foodgrains free of cost to the poor rather than letting it drought. On the contrary, it is pursuing the anti-people policy of pressurizing the states, to lift "additional allotment" at a price that is even higher than the present issue price of APL foodgrains. At the same time, the objectionable new scheme of further targeting being proposed by the National Advisory Council as well as the proposal to cut all subsidies to APL show the mockery that is being made of the concept of food security.

The Polit Bureau reiterates its demand for a universal public distribution system with a minimum allocation of 35 kgs of foodgrains at Rs. 2 per kg. The expenditure on this will still be less than 2 per cent of the GDP.

Land Acquisition Bill

In the recent period, the issue of forcible land acquisition for various projects in different states against the consent of a majority of landholders and the highly inadequate compensation offered to the farmers has come to the fore. This has highlighted the necessity for the new Land Acquisition Act alongwith the legislation for resettlement and rehabilitation.

The Polit Bureau demands that the 1894 Land Acquisition Act be scrapped and the government bring forth legislations for land acquisition and for resettlement and rehabilitation in the forthcoming session of Parliament.

Central Committee Meeting

The Polit Bureau decided to convene a meeting of the Central Committee of the Party on November 19-21, 2010 at New Delhi.

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