Showing posts with label cpm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cpm. Show all posts
Saturday, 5 May 2012
CPM to Have Its Own TV Channel in Andhra Soon
Intro
The idea of launching the channel is to highlight the adverse impacts of globalisation, people's issues, giving due coverage to the movements launched by employees, workers and farmers
Express News Service
Hyderabad: The CPM will have its own 24-hour news channel in the state. The party sympathisers have started the process of launching the channel and the work is in progress. "Launching a new channel involves lot of work and money. It may take at least seven to eight months for the channel to go on air," a senior CPM leader said.
According to sources, party former MLA Tammineni Veerabhadram was entrusted the job of launching the channel and to mobilise the required funds.
"The idea of having an own channel came from the cadre during the party meetings. Some partymen suggested to launch the channel to highlight the problems of the poor and peasantry," CPM state leader Y Venkateswarlu said.
Sources said the yet-to-be named channel will not have any direct links with the CPM as such and it would not be treated as an official channel of the party.
The idea of launching the channel is to highlight the adverse impacts of globalisation, people's issues, giving due coverage to the movements launched by employees, workers and farmers.
Though the CPM do not have huge funds like other commercial channels, the party sympathisers were mobilising funds from the public, sources said.
CPM has two news channels - Kairali in Kerala and Chobbis (24) Ghanta in West Bengal. Though they were not the official channels of the CPM, they were controlled by CPM leaders and sympathisers and give good coverage for the party and its affiliated organisations. Though, Chobbis (24) Ghanta was a part of Zee News it was controlled by West Bengal party state committee member Abheek Dutta, sources said.
The CPM has decided to strengthen the party in the state and even refused alliances with other parties in the ensuing byelections. The launch of the channel would help in achieving its goal to some extent. Besides, serious news, the channel will have also entertainment programmes, sources added.
The CPM owns five dailies in various languages including Prajasakthi in Telugu. The party is also bringing out 'Marxist' an ideological monthly in Telugu.
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
CPM Attends CM's All-Party Meet, Skips TDP's
Last Updated : 29 Nov 2011 11:54:43 AM IST
HYDERABAD: CPM leaders skipped the all party farmers meeting convened by Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu at NTR Bhavan here on Monday. While CPI state secretary K Narayana attended the meeting, CPM state secretary BV Raghavulu not only gave it a miss but also did not send any representative of the party. When Naidu tried to contact Raghavulu over phone, the latter became elusive. A CPM leader, however, explained that they were busy with the party's district level meetings and could not attend Naidu's meeting. "We informed the same to TDP office incharge," he added.Interestingly, Raghavulu, though busy with party meetings, attended another allparty meeting convened by chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on land matters earlier in the day. The grapevine has it that the CPM skipped TDP's meeting as a CBI probe was initiated against Naidu. But, the CPM sources did not confirm it.
The twohourlong meeting decided to stage dharnas before sugar factories on December 2 demanding payment of Rs 2,500 per quintal of sugarcane and before district collectorates on farmers issues on December 7. The TDP will move a notrust motion in the Assembly against the government on farmers' issues. "We will fight the government simultaneously inside and outside the Assembly," Naidu told reporters later.
He said his party would come out with an alternative economic policy to see that farmers and the poor enjoyed the fruits of economic reforms. The draft alternative policy would be pronounced by him at the national level. Naidu admitted that he initiated reforms but failed to see that fruits of reforms reached the poor and farmers. "I created wealth in state and I wanted to distribute it to poor," he claimed.
HYDERABAD: CPM leaders skipped the all party farmers meeting convened by Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu at NTR Bhavan here on Monday. While CPI state secretary K Narayana attended the meeting, CPM state secretary BV Raghavulu not only gave it a miss but also did not send any representative of the party. When Naidu tried to contact Raghavulu over phone, the latter became elusive. A CPM leader, however, explained that they were busy with the party's district level meetings and could not attend Naidu's meeting. "We informed the same to TDP office incharge," he added.Interestingly, Raghavulu, though busy with party meetings, attended another allparty meeting convened by chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on land matters earlier in the day. The grapevine has it that the CPM skipped TDP's meeting as a CBI probe was initiated against Naidu. But, the CPM sources did not confirm it.
The twohourlong meeting decided to stage dharnas before sugar factories on December 2 demanding payment of Rs 2,500 per quintal of sugarcane and before district collectorates on farmers issues on December 7. The TDP will move a notrust motion in the Assembly against the government on farmers' issues. "We will fight the government simultaneously inside and outside the Assembly," Naidu told reporters later.
He said his party would come out with an alternative economic policy to see that farmers and the poor enjoyed the fruits of economic reforms. The draft alternative policy would be pronounced by him at the national level. Naidu admitted that he initiated reforms but failed to see that fruits of reforms reached the poor and farmers. "I created wealth in state and I wanted to distribute it to poor," he claimed.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Singur, Nandigram our Waterloo: CPM
Express News Service
Last Updated : 13 Jun 2011 11:43:45 AM IST
HYDERABAD: The two-day Central Committee meeting of the CPM has realised that the mistakes with regard to Singur and Nandigram "proved costly" for the party in the recent elections in West Bengal and wants to take corrective steps at the political and organisational levels to retrieve the lost ground.
"Negative factors accumulated after the prolonged rule in WB," the party leadership noted. After 34 years of ruling, CPM is learning how to play the role of an "alert opposition" in the state. "If the governments in West Bengal and Kerala reverse the good things done by the Left government in the past, we will oppose them. We will stand by the people," CPM general secretary Prakash Karat told reporters after the deliberations.
The party also observed that the very idea of land acquisition in West Bengal led to the party's debacle in West Bengal. The party's review report also identified the organisational defects and shortcomings which had alienated various sections of the people in West Bengal. "There were weaknesses in some of the policies and measures adopted for the welfare of the people. Besides, the people also wanted a change in West Bengal," the party observed.
However, the Central Committee rejected the motivated propaganda that the electoral defeat in West Bengal rendered the CPM and the Left Front politically irrelevant. "The Left Front, despite the adverse circumstances, has got 1.95 crore votes which is 41 per cent of the total votes," Karat pointed out.
Though, the UPA-2 government's corruption and anti-people policies were rejected in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the voters in West Bengal did not consider them as important and they mainly opted for a change in West Bengal, Karat admitted.
On alleged corruption in UPA government, Karat said the Left, particularly the CPM, had a blemishless record in fighting against corruption, and mooted an effective Lokpal legislation to bring the prime minister also under its purview. He also suggested setting up of a national judicial commission to oversee the judiciary, electoral reforms to curb the use of money power and firm measures to break the nexus of big business,ruling politicians and the bureaucracy.
On the absence of former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya from the meeting, Karat said Buddha had informed him in advance that he would not be able to make it. "Bhattacharya's health is not permitting him to travel outside Kolkata," Karat said.
On Telangana Karat said that as the consultation process was over and the Srikrishna Committee had submitted its report, it was for the Centre take a decision now.
Last Updated : 13 Jun 2011 11:43:45 AM IST
HYDERABAD: The two-day Central Committee meeting of the CPM has realised that the mistakes with regard to Singur and Nandigram "proved costly" for the party in the recent elections in West Bengal and wants to take corrective steps at the political and organisational levels to retrieve the lost ground.
"Negative factors accumulated after the prolonged rule in WB," the party leadership noted. After 34 years of ruling, CPM is learning how to play the role of an "alert opposition" in the state. "If the governments in West Bengal and Kerala reverse the good things done by the Left government in the past, we will oppose them. We will stand by the people," CPM general secretary Prakash Karat told reporters after the deliberations.
The party also observed that the very idea of land acquisition in West Bengal led to the party's debacle in West Bengal. The party's review report also identified the organisational defects and shortcomings which had alienated various sections of the people in West Bengal. "There were weaknesses in some of the policies and measures adopted for the welfare of the people. Besides, the people also wanted a change in West Bengal," the party observed.
However, the Central Committee rejected the motivated propaganda that the electoral defeat in West Bengal rendered the CPM and the Left Front politically irrelevant. "The Left Front, despite the adverse circumstances, has got 1.95 crore votes which is 41 per cent of the total votes," Karat pointed out.
Though, the UPA-2 government's corruption and anti-people policies were rejected in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the voters in West Bengal did not consider them as important and they mainly opted for a change in West Bengal, Karat admitted.
On alleged corruption in UPA government, Karat said the Left, particularly the CPM, had a blemishless record in fighting against corruption, and mooted an effective Lokpal legislation to bring the prime minister also under its purview. He also suggested setting up of a national judicial commission to oversee the judiciary, electoral reforms to curb the use of money power and firm measures to break the nexus of big business,ruling politicians and the bureaucracy.
On the absence of former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya from the meeting, Karat said Buddha had informed him in advance that he would not be able to make it. "Bhattacharya's health is not permitting him to travel outside Kolkata," Karat said.
On Telangana Karat said that as the consultation process was over and the Srikrishna Committee had submitted its report, it was for the Centre take a decision now.
'69 stir forced me to move to Delhi for studies'
Express News Service
Last Updated : 14 Jun 2011 12:21:28 PM IST
HYDERABAD: Though the CPM opposes the demand for state’s bifurcation, its Politburo member Sitaram Yechuri, who hails from the Andhra region, admits that a strong sentiment is sweeping through Telangana for a separate state.
Speaking at a meet-the-press organised by the AP Union of Working Journalists here on Monday, Yechuri said: “As there is a strong sentiment for Telangana, the Constitution has been amended several times.” Recalling his experience as a student, he said, “I was a Nizam College student. I was also a Mulki as I had studied in Hyderabad for 12 years. Due to the separatist agitation led by M Chenna Reddy, I moved to Delhi to continue my studies. Otherwise, I would have lost one academic year. An amendment to the Constitution, 371(D), was made in 1971.” He, however, asserted that his party favoured linguistic states and opposed the creation of Uttaranchal, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. “But though we had opposed formation of the three new states, the CPM is contesting elections in all the three,” he said and added that CPM’s opposition need not come in the way of the central government creating Telangana state.
“The Centre has to take a decision based on Srikrishna Committee’s report. It can not abdicate its responsibility of taking a decision. But it is dragging its feet on the issue,” Sitaram said. To a volley of questions on the Telangna issue, the CPM leader said he did not want to enter into an argument on the justification of the demand for a new state. “The question had better be directed at those who can take a decision,” he shot back.
On the performance of the UPA government, the expert on economic affairs said the UPA-2 was undermining the common minimum programme (CMP).
Last Updated : 14 Jun 2011 12:21:28 PM IST
HYDERABAD: Though the CPM opposes the demand for state’s bifurcation, its Politburo member Sitaram Yechuri, who hails from the Andhra region, admits that a strong sentiment is sweeping through Telangana for a separate state.
Speaking at a meet-the-press organised by the AP Union of Working Journalists here on Monday, Yechuri said: “As there is a strong sentiment for Telangana, the Constitution has been amended several times.” Recalling his experience as a student, he said, “I was a Nizam College student. I was also a Mulki as I had studied in Hyderabad for 12 years. Due to the separatist agitation led by M Chenna Reddy, I moved to Delhi to continue my studies. Otherwise, I would have lost one academic year. An amendment to the Constitution, 371(D), was made in 1971.” He, however, asserted that his party favoured linguistic states and opposed the creation of Uttaranchal, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. “But though we had opposed formation of the three new states, the CPM is contesting elections in all the three,” he said and added that CPM’s opposition need not come in the way of the central government creating Telangana state.
“The Centre has to take a decision based on Srikrishna Committee’s report. It can not abdicate its responsibility of taking a decision. But it is dragging its feet on the issue,” Sitaram said. To a volley of questions on the Telangna issue, the CPM leader said he did not want to enter into an argument on the justification of the demand for a new state. “The question had better be directed at those who can take a decision,” he shot back.
On the performance of the UPA government, the expert on economic affairs said the UPA-2 was undermining the common minimum programme (CMP).
Comrades set to close ranks
Express News Service
Last Updated : 14 Jun 2011 10:06:45 AM IST
HYDERABAD: Faced with an identity crisis after their big defeat in West Bengal and losing power in Kerala, both the CPI and the CPM are in a “hurry” for “reunification”. “We are in a hurry for reunification. But, it will take time as some processes should be completed before the reunification,” CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury said here on Monday. He was speaking at a ‘Meet the Press’ organised by the Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ).
CPI national secretary D Raja had echoed similar views in Vijayawada on Sunday and pointed out: “We have been making similar proposals from Harkishan Singh Surjeet’s time. It is up to the CPM to respond.” Asked about the proposal, Yechury conceded that their well-wishers were rooting for reunification, but added, “Unity will happen in two ways. The first, when both parties shake hands and go for a direct merger. But it is not sustainable.” The other way, according to him, was to start the merger process from the grassroots level. “The Left has chosen to go this way,” he revealed and further elaborating said, “We ask our Kisan, Youth and other mass organisations to work together during mass movements. This unity of mass organisations will reach the top. This process is on and we are also in a hurry for the reunification.” He felt that failure to complete the process would not lead to a meaningful unity.
The comrades parted ways way back in July 1964 when radical communists broke away from the CPI and called for a summit in Tenali, Andhra Pradesh. It was at that meeting that the CPM was born. Almost 47 years later, facing both an existential and ideological crises, the two parties are now singing the “reunification tune”. It is ironic that top leaders of both the parties are talking of reunification in the same State where they had once parted ways.
Karat Meets Naidu, Seeks TDP Support
Hyderabad: CPM general secretary Prakash Karat on Monday explained to TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu the series of attacks on CPM offices and party workers in West Bengal and sought the TDP’s support in opposing the violence. Karat called on Naidu at the latter’s residence and during their one-and-a-half hours meeting, Karat and Naidu also discussed the anti-graft movement and the UPA government’s response to the same. Later speaking to reporters, Karat said the CPM had decided to make Trinamool violence a national issue and that he had sought Naidu’s support.
Last Updated : 14 Jun 2011 10:06:45 AM IST
HYDERABAD: Faced with an identity crisis after their big defeat in West Bengal and losing power in Kerala, both the CPI and the CPM are in a “hurry” for “reunification”. “We are in a hurry for reunification. But, it will take time as some processes should be completed before the reunification,” CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury said here on Monday. He was speaking at a ‘Meet the Press’ organised by the Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ).
CPI national secretary D Raja had echoed similar views in Vijayawada on Sunday and pointed out: “We have been making similar proposals from Harkishan Singh Surjeet’s time. It is up to the CPM to respond.” Asked about the proposal, Yechury conceded that their well-wishers were rooting for reunification, but added, “Unity will happen in two ways. The first, when both parties shake hands and go for a direct merger. But it is not sustainable.” The other way, according to him, was to start the merger process from the grassroots level. “The Left has chosen to go this way,” he revealed and further elaborating said, “We ask our Kisan, Youth and other mass organisations to work together during mass movements. This unity of mass organisations will reach the top. This process is on and we are also in a hurry for the reunification.” He felt that failure to complete the process would not lead to a meaningful unity.
The comrades parted ways way back in July 1964 when radical communists broke away from the CPI and called for a summit in Tenali, Andhra Pradesh. It was at that meeting that the CPM was born. Almost 47 years later, facing both an existential and ideological crises, the two parties are now singing the “reunification tune”. It is ironic that top leaders of both the parties are talking of reunification in the same State where they had once parted ways.
Karat Meets Naidu, Seeks TDP Support
Hyderabad: CPM general secretary Prakash Karat on Monday explained to TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu the series of attacks on CPM offices and party workers in West Bengal and sought the TDP’s support in opposing the violence. Karat called on Naidu at the latter’s residence and during their one-and-a-half hours meeting, Karat and Naidu also discussed the anti-graft movement and the UPA government’s response to the same. Later speaking to reporters, Karat said the CPM had decided to make Trinamool violence a national issue and that he had sought Naidu’s support.
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Comrades toe Karat line
VV Balakrishna
Express News Service
First Published : 11 Aug 2010 03:34:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 11 Aug 2010 11:53:46 AM IST
VIJAYAWADA: In the face of existential crisis, the CPM has pushed all talk of internal bickerings under the carpet and put up a united front here on Tuesday. Taking a moral high ground, the party’s Central Committee backed the decision to withdraw support to the UPA-I over the Indo-US nuclear deal ahead of the previous general elections and decided to make the battle for Bengal, a national issue. In the process, it gave its general secretary Prakash Karat, a vocal opponent of the nuclear deal, a fresh lease of life.
“The Central Committee meeting endorsed the stand taken by the party to withdraw support to UPA-1 and felt that it was correct and necessary,’’ said Karat, who had drawn flak from his comrades for the decision which resulted in a Congress-Trinamool alliance in West Bengal.
Briefing reporters on the decisions of the Central Committee meeting, Karat said the committee had, however, felt the timing of the withdrawal of support was not correct. “We should have done it a few days earlier, i.e., before the government held talks with the IAEA and agreed to the conditions set by the US. The CPM should have been more vigilant and should not have allowed the government to go for talks with the IAEA,’’ Karat said. Karat did not agree with the view that the decision forced the Congress to cosy up to the Trinamool.
The endorsement of the nuke decision is being seen as the Central Committee’s willingness to toe the Karat line, despite rumblings in the party’s Bengal unit.
On the crucial Bengal question, the Central Committee decided to make the party problem a national issue. It called upon the party units in all states to take up programmes between September 12 and 18 across the nation highlighting the situation in Bengal and the nexus between the TMC and Maoists. The committee, at a meeting here on Tuesday, endorsed the draft review report and the draft political resolution. It decided to maintain equi-distance from both the Congress and the BJP. “We will launch our agitational programmes independently. Besides, we will try for the unity of the Left and work together with regional parties like TDP, which have secular credentials,’’ Karat said.
He said the political line of the party was to oppose the neo-liberal policies of the Congress-led UPA and Hindutva agenda of the BJP. The BJP was pushing forward its communal agenda in states, where it was in power, he added. He said that the eleven tasks mentioned in the draft political resolution would be taken up by the party.
The CC meeting discussed the decision of the party to withdraw support to the UPA and how to proceed on Bengal and Kerala elections. "We will discuss in detail the Kashmir issue in our next CC meeting,’’ Karat said.
Express News Service
First Published : 11 Aug 2010 03:34:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 11 Aug 2010 11:53:46 AM IST
VIJAYAWADA: In the face of existential crisis, the CPM has pushed all talk of internal bickerings under the carpet and put up a united front here on Tuesday. Taking a moral high ground, the party’s Central Committee backed the decision to withdraw support to the UPA-I over the Indo-US nuclear deal ahead of the previous general elections and decided to make the battle for Bengal, a national issue. In the process, it gave its general secretary Prakash Karat, a vocal opponent of the nuclear deal, a fresh lease of life.
“The Central Committee meeting endorsed the stand taken by the party to withdraw support to UPA-1 and felt that it was correct and necessary,’’ said Karat, who had drawn flak from his comrades for the decision which resulted in a Congress-Trinamool alliance in West Bengal.
Briefing reporters on the decisions of the Central Committee meeting, Karat said the committee had, however, felt the timing of the withdrawal of support was not correct. “We should have done it a few days earlier, i.e., before the government held talks with the IAEA and agreed to the conditions set by the US. The CPM should have been more vigilant and should not have allowed the government to go for talks with the IAEA,’’ Karat said. Karat did not agree with the view that the decision forced the Congress to cosy up to the Trinamool.
The endorsement of the nuke decision is being seen as the Central Committee’s willingness to toe the Karat line, despite rumblings in the party’s Bengal unit.
On the crucial Bengal question, the Central Committee decided to make the party problem a national issue. It called upon the party units in all states to take up programmes between September 12 and 18 across the nation highlighting the situation in Bengal and the nexus between the TMC and Maoists. The committee, at a meeting here on Tuesday, endorsed the draft review report and the draft political resolution. It decided to maintain equi-distance from both the Congress and the BJP. “We will launch our agitational programmes independently. Besides, we will try for the unity of the Left and work together with regional parties like TDP, which have secular credentials,’’ Karat said.
He said the political line of the party was to oppose the neo-liberal policies of the Congress-led UPA and Hindutva agenda of the BJP. The BJP was pushing forward its communal agenda in states, where it was in power, he added. He said that the eleven tasks mentioned in the draft political resolution would be taken up by the party.
The CC meeting discussed the decision of the party to withdraw support to the UPA and how to proceed on Bengal and Kerala elections. "We will discuss in detail the Kashmir issue in our next CC meeting,’’ Karat said.
Morale booster ahead of polls
VV Balakrishna
Express News Service
First Published : 11 Aug 2010 03:35:35 AM IST
Last Updated : 11 Aug 2010 12:04:51 PM IST
VIJAYAWADA: The Vijayawada meet turned out to be the much-needed morale booster to the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) months ahead of a tough electoral battle in Kerala and West Bengal. Known as the 'red fort’, the city that witnessed many a Left movement lived up to its name on Tuesday. With a huge turnout of peasants, workers, youth and women for the public meeting to mark the conclusion of the party’s four-day extended Central Committee meeting, the city turned into a red sea much to the elation of senior leaders. CPM general secretary Prakash Karat and politburo member Sitaram Yechury acknowledged the renewed enthusiasm generated by the meet in the party. “No one can bring down the red flag,” remarked an overwhelmed Yechury. “Hitler, Rajakars, Indira and others have failed to stop the Red march. This meeting should send a stern warning to the forces which are trying bring down the red flag. As long as inequalities persist in the country, the red flag will be carried forward by the masses and it will fly high,” Yechury said. The meeting was a fitting reply to those who doubted the future of the party, he added. On the killing of CPM workers in Bengal, Yechury said they could not be cowed down by the killings by the Maoists. “If a worker dies, the philosophy will not die. As long as our blood is red, the Marxist ideology will remain,” he averred.
Prakash Karat said they would fight against both Congress and BJP-led fronts in the country. Attacking the Maoists, Karat said that they (Maoists) were holding the red flag and attacking the red flag (CPM). “The heinous face of Maoists will be thoroughly exposed,” he said.
Accusing the UPA of being pro-rich, Karat suggested universal public distribution system in the country where all the citizens, excluding the rich, would have one type of ration card.
Earlier, the CPM cadre took out two impressive rallies in the city, one from the municipal office and the other from the Benz Circle.
Express News Service
First Published : 11 Aug 2010 03:35:35 AM IST
Last Updated : 11 Aug 2010 12:04:51 PM IST
VIJAYAWADA: The Vijayawada meet turned out to be the much-needed morale booster to the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) months ahead of a tough electoral battle in Kerala and West Bengal. Known as the 'red fort’, the city that witnessed many a Left movement lived up to its name on Tuesday. With a huge turnout of peasants, workers, youth and women for the public meeting to mark the conclusion of the party’s four-day extended Central Committee meeting, the city turned into a red sea much to the elation of senior leaders. CPM general secretary Prakash Karat and politburo member Sitaram Yechury acknowledged the renewed enthusiasm generated by the meet in the party. “No one can bring down the red flag,” remarked an overwhelmed Yechury. “Hitler, Rajakars, Indira and others have failed to stop the Red march. This meeting should send a stern warning to the forces which are trying bring down the red flag. As long as inequalities persist in the country, the red flag will be carried forward by the masses and it will fly high,” Yechury said. The meeting was a fitting reply to those who doubted the future of the party, he added. On the killing of CPM workers in Bengal, Yechury said they could not be cowed down by the killings by the Maoists. “If a worker dies, the philosophy will not die. As long as our blood is red, the Marxist ideology will remain,” he averred.
Prakash Karat said they would fight against both Congress and BJP-led fronts in the country. Attacking the Maoists, Karat said that they (Maoists) were holding the red flag and attacking the red flag (CPM). “The heinous face of Maoists will be thoroughly exposed,” he said.
Accusing the UPA of being pro-rich, Karat suggested universal public distribution system in the country where all the citizens, excluding the rich, would have one type of ration card.
Earlier, the CPM cadre took out two impressive rallies in the city, one from the municipal office and the other from the Benz Circle.
Didi gives comrades a splitting headache
THE CPM is desperately hoping for a division of Opposition votes to continue its supremacy in West Bengal and stay put at the Writer's Building after May 2011 Assembly elections. "Opposition unity poses a threat to Left forces in Bengal,'' CPM politburo member Sitarm Yechuri said here on Monday while admitting that the CPM had been losing ground in the State election after election.
The united Opposition have 51 per cent votes, whereas the Left's vote share remained at 49 per cent in Bengal. The comrades, who are seeking to win the Assembly polls for the eighth time in a row since 1977, however, appeared clueless on how to stem the Trinamool tide.
The party's extended Central Committee adopted a political resolution on Bengal and Kerala exuding confidence.
"The present challenge will also be met like the earlier ones have been,'' the resolution stated. Notwithstanding this boasting, it is clear that the party's ideology and its desire to stay in power are on a collision course. For now, the party's strategy appears to be to take Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool head-on and go soft on the Congress, never mind the Nuclear Liabilities Bill and the price rise issues.
The comrades upped the ante on the TMC alleging that Mamata's colleagues, including a few Union Ministers, were rubbing shoulders with the Maoists. "The Congress and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should answer how do they view Union Ministers rubbing shoulders with the Maoists,'' Sitaram Yechuri demanded.
The noises being made by the party leaders have given rise to speculation over whether the party might send feelers to the Congress for a tie-up. But sources said no discussion on a possible alliance with the Congress had taken place at the extended Central Committee meeting.
Asked whether the CPM's decision to withdraw support to the UPA-1 had dented the party's prospects in West Bengal, Yechuri said: "It is all past. Now, we are talking about the present''. However, it is not clear if the CPM central committee will continue to fight against the neo-liberal policies of the Congress at the Centre. From Yechuri's comments, it appears the party may tone down its rhetoric against the Congress. "The CPM never called the Congress a communal party," Yechuri claimed, contradicting party general secretary Prakash Karat's statement that the Congress-led alliance in Kerala was courting "communal forces."
The political resolution too carefully avoided tagging communal elements to the Congress. "The TMC had, on earlier occasions, openly aligned and shared power with the BJP at the Centre. The `change' offered by Mamata is anti-democratic and anti-development," it read.
The united Opposition have 51 per cent votes, whereas the Left's vote share remained at 49 per cent in Bengal. The comrades, who are seeking to win the Assembly polls for the eighth time in a row since 1977, however, appeared clueless on how to stem the Trinamool tide.
The party's extended Central Committee adopted a political resolution on Bengal and Kerala exuding confidence.
"The present challenge will also be met like the earlier ones have been,'' the resolution stated. Notwithstanding this boasting, it is clear that the party's ideology and its desire to stay in power are on a collision course. For now, the party's strategy appears to be to take Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool head-on and go soft on the Congress, never mind the Nuclear Liabilities Bill and the price rise issues.
The comrades upped the ante on the TMC alleging that Mamata's colleagues, including a few Union Ministers, were rubbing shoulders with the Maoists. "The Congress and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should answer how do they view Union Ministers rubbing shoulders with the Maoists,'' Sitaram Yechuri demanded.
The noises being made by the party leaders have given rise to speculation over whether the party might send feelers to the Congress for a tie-up. But sources said no discussion on a possible alliance with the Congress had taken place at the extended Central Committee meeting.
Asked whether the CPM's decision to withdraw support to the UPA-1 had dented the party's prospects in West Bengal, Yechuri said: "It is all past. Now, we are talking about the present''. However, it is not clear if the CPM central committee will continue to fight against the neo-liberal policies of the Congress at the Centre. From Yechuri's comments, it appears the party may tone down its rhetoric against the Congress. "The CPM never called the Congress a communal party," Yechuri claimed, contradicting party general secretary Prakash Karat's statement that the Congress-led alliance in Kerala was courting "communal forces."
The political resolution too carefully avoided tagging communal elements to the Congress. "The TMC had, on earlier occasions, openly aligned and shared power with the BJP at the Centre. The `change' offered by Mamata is anti-democratic and anti-development," it read.
Yechuri treads a fine line between Church & Muslims
While opposing the entry of Church into politics in Kerala, CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechuri on Monday tried to woo Muslims in West Bengal saying that the West Bengal government had recently decided to implement the recommendations of the Ranganath Mishra Commission Report, including granting 10 per cent reservations to them in jobs.
Speaking to reporters after releasing the party's resolution on the forthcoming elections in Kerala and Bengal, Yechuri opposed the entry of churches into politics. "With all due respects to the Church, I can say that religion has its space and politics has its space. In Kerala, the Congress-led UDF is trying to consolidate all the communal and caste forces around it. Sections of the Church are openly interfering in political affairs by conducting an anti-Communist campaign. Muslim and Hindu extremist forces are bracing themselves to disturb communal harmony in order to create political polarisation," he said.
The resolution stated that despite the "nefarious" activities of extremists and communal forces, Kerala continues to maintain its excellent record of communal harmony. The resolution was mostly devoted to explain the "rapid" progress witnessed in the states under the CPM rule. "The LDF government in Kerala has taken forward its welfare legacy and currently has the largest number of welfare schemes amongst all states of India," it claimed.
When half-a-million houses proposed under the EMS housing scheme are completed, there would be no family in Kerala without a house, the resolution claimed. In the agriculture sector, the measures adopted by the State government have been successful in putting an end to the suicides of farmers, it said and praised its government. However, Kerala Chief Minister Atchuthanandan wasn't present at the meeting to accept the praises.
The resolution observed that the ruling classes had mounted a concerted offensive against the CPM, in its strong bastions, in order to weaken the resistance to their unbridled loot through the neo-liberal economic trajectory. The Assembly elections in May 2011 in Bengal and Kerala will be a major battle between the forces representing the interests of working people and those representing interests of capitalists, it said.
Speaking to reporters after releasing the party's resolution on the forthcoming elections in Kerala and Bengal, Yechuri opposed the entry of churches into politics. "With all due respects to the Church, I can say that religion has its space and politics has its space. In Kerala, the Congress-led UDF is trying to consolidate all the communal and caste forces around it. Sections of the Church are openly interfering in political affairs by conducting an anti-Communist campaign. Muslim and Hindu extremist forces are bracing themselves to disturb communal harmony in order to create political polarisation," he said.
The resolution stated that despite the "nefarious" activities of extremists and communal forces, Kerala continues to maintain its excellent record of communal harmony. The resolution was mostly devoted to explain the "rapid" progress witnessed in the states under the CPM rule. "The LDF government in Kerala has taken forward its welfare legacy and currently has the largest number of welfare schemes amongst all states of India," it claimed.
When half-a-million houses proposed under the EMS housing scheme are completed, there would be no family in Kerala without a house, the resolution claimed. In the agriculture sector, the measures adopted by the State government have been successful in putting an end to the suicides of farmers, it said and praised its government. However, Kerala Chief Minister Atchuthanandan wasn't present at the meeting to accept the praises.
The resolution observed that the ruling classes had mounted a concerted offensive against the CPM, in its strong bastions, in order to weaken the resistance to their unbridled loot through the neo-liberal economic trajectory. The Assembly elections in May 2011 in Bengal and Kerala will be a major battle between the forces representing the interests of working people and those representing interests of capitalists, it said.
On Telangana: No change
The recent bypolls in Telangana may have been a ringing declaration of the people's support to separate statehood, but the CPM will not change its position on the Telangana question.
“Creation of smaller states by breaking up the bigger states will be harmful for the federal set-up. These states will be more dependent on the Centre,'' the party said in its draft political resolution circulated to the extended meeting of the central committee. The party felt that smaller states would be easily exploited by big business and multinational corporations. “If there are backward regions in a state, special measures should be adopted for the socioeconomic development of that area. There can be provision for regional autonomy, if required,” it says.
The party was of the view that the demand for a separate Telangana state received a fillip after the Centre announced its intention to take steps towards a T state in response to the hunger strike by TRS president K Chandrasekhara Rao but backtracked in the face of protests in the other regions of the state. The hasty stand of the Centre led to the revival of demands for separate states in various parts of the country, the Left party said.
“Creation of smaller states by breaking up the bigger states will be harmful for the federal set-up. These states will be more dependent on the Centre,'' the party said in its draft political resolution circulated to the extended meeting of the central committee. The party felt that smaller states would be easily exploited by big business and multinational corporations. “If there are backward regions in a state, special measures should be adopted for the socioeconomic development of that area. There can be provision for regional autonomy, if required,” it says.
The party was of the view that the demand for a separate Telangana state received a fillip after the Centre announced its intention to take steps towards a T state in response to the hunger strike by TRS president K Chandrasekhara Rao but backtracked in the face of protests in the other regions of the state. The hasty stand of the Centre led to the revival of demands for separate states in various parts of the country, the Left party said.
CPM cuts out 11 tasks for recovery
TAG
* 11-KARAT GOAL
GRAPHIC
TASKS BEFORE THE CPM
1. Fight the whole gamut of neo-liberal policies
2. Fight at two levels: all-India and in the states
3. Fight Hindutva activities and minority communalism
4. Oppose Indo-US strategic alliance and rally patriotic, democratic sections
against it
5. Oppose Congress-led UPA, prime mover of neo-liberal policies
6. Isolate BJP, which also advocates neo-liberal policies, by rallying secular forces
7. Forge electoral understanding with non-Congress secular parties
8. Struggle against Maoists' disruptive activities
9. Defend CPM and the Left in West Bengal
10. Draw the masses, peasants, farm workers, artisans into a united struggle
11. Champion the rights of dalits, tribals, minorities, women and other oppressed
sections
The CPM has cut out the tasks for its rank and file to regain the ground it has ceded in recent years. On the first-day of the party's extended central committee meeting today, which was attended by around 350 delegates including top brass of the party, the party drafted a political resolution sketching an 11-point plan by which it hopes to emerge as an alternative secular force in the country.
The resolution stresses the need to expand the party base beyond West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura where its strongholds are located. ``In the present situation where the strongest base of the party, West Bengal, is under attack, it becomes all the more necessary to expand its influence in other state,'' the resolution states.
While the party thinks it imperative to work with non-Congress and non-BJP regional parties, it decided to project itself as the left and democratic alternative by giving a thrust to Left unity.
Significantly, the resolution highlighted the need to fight both majority and minority communalism. ``The new feature which has emerged in the last three years is Hindutva extremist elements resorting to terrorist violence. Muslim extremist groups are also continuing to resort to extremist methods. Terrorism by both Muslim and Hindu extremists has to be fought and the campaign against them should be taken to the people,'' the resolution says.
The party also feels the need to pay urgent attention to work in the tribal areas and build mass organisations against the violence of Maoists. ``The Maoists represent a degenerated form of ultra-Left adventurism. They serve the interests of the ruling class by targeting the CPM,'' the resolution states.
On the Jammu & Kashmir situation, the CPM feels that the resumption of the Indo-Pakistan dialogue will help in creating an atmosphere to carry forward the political process. ``Without provision of maximum autonomy for the state and regional autonomy for the three regions within the state, there can be no progress towards a political solution,'' the resolution notes.
To achieve these goals, the CPM leadership underscored the steps to be taken within the party, including streamlining the organisation along the principles of democratic centralism. It also noted the need to enhance the political-ideological awareness of party members and adopt a correct approach to mass organisations.
* 11-KARAT GOAL
GRAPHIC
TASKS BEFORE THE CPM
1. Fight the whole gamut of neo-liberal policies
2. Fight at two levels: all-India and in the states
3. Fight Hindutva activities and minority communalism
4. Oppose Indo-US strategic alliance and rally patriotic, democratic sections
against it
5. Oppose Congress-led UPA, prime mover of neo-liberal policies
6. Isolate BJP, which also advocates neo-liberal policies, by rallying secular forces
7. Forge electoral understanding with non-Congress secular parties
8. Struggle against Maoists' disruptive activities
9. Defend CPM and the Left in West Bengal
10. Draw the masses, peasants, farm workers, artisans into a united struggle
11. Champion the rights of dalits, tribals, minorities, women and other oppressed
sections
The CPM has cut out the tasks for its rank and file to regain the ground it has ceded in recent years. On the first-day of the party's extended central committee meeting today, which was attended by around 350 delegates including top brass of the party, the party drafted a political resolution sketching an 11-point plan by which it hopes to emerge as an alternative secular force in the country.
The resolution stresses the need to expand the party base beyond West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura where its strongholds are located. ``In the present situation where the strongest base of the party, West Bengal, is under attack, it becomes all the more necessary to expand its influence in other state,'' the resolution states.
While the party thinks it imperative to work with non-Congress and non-BJP regional parties, it decided to project itself as the left and democratic alternative by giving a thrust to Left unity.
Significantly, the resolution highlighted the need to fight both majority and minority communalism. ``The new feature which has emerged in the last three years is Hindutva extremist elements resorting to terrorist violence. Muslim extremist groups are also continuing to resort to extremist methods. Terrorism by both Muslim and Hindu extremists has to be fought and the campaign against them should be taken to the people,'' the resolution says.
The party also feels the need to pay urgent attention to work in the tribal areas and build mass organisations against the violence of Maoists. ``The Maoists represent a degenerated form of ultra-Left adventurism. They serve the interests of the ruling class by targeting the CPM,'' the resolution states.
On the Jammu & Kashmir situation, the CPM feels that the resumption of the Indo-Pakistan dialogue will help in creating an atmosphere to carry forward the political process. ``Without provision of maximum autonomy for the state and regional autonomy for the three regions within the state, there can be no progress towards a political solution,'' the resolution notes.
To achieve these goals, the CPM leadership underscored the steps to be taken within the party, including streamlining the organisation along the principles of democratic centralism. It also noted the need to enhance the political-ideological awareness of party members and adopt a correct approach to mass organisations.
Yechury tries to woo Muslims
VV Balakrishna
First Published : 10 Aug 2010 03:42:39 AM IST
Last Updated : 10 Aug 2010 11:59:21 AM IST
VIJAYAWADA: While opposing the entry of Church into politics in Kerala, CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury on Monday tried to woo Muslims in West Bengal saying that the West Bengal government had recently decided to implement the recommendations of the Ranganath Mishra Commission Report, including granting 10 per cent reservations to them in jobs.
Speaking to reporters after releasing the party’s resolution on the forthcoming elections in Kerala and Bengal, Yechury opposed the entry of the church into politics.
“With all due respects to the Church, I can say that religion has its space and politics has its space. In Kerala, the Congress-led UDF is trying to consolidate all the communal and caste forces around it. Sections of the Church are openly interfering in political affairs by conducting an anti- Communist campaign. Muslim and Hindu extremist forces are bracing themselves to disturb communal harmony in order to create political polarisation,” he said.
The resolution stated that despite the “nefarious” activities of extremists and communal forces, Kerala continues to maintain its excellent record of communal harmony. The resolution was mostly devoted to explain the “rapid” progress witnessed in the states under the CPM rule.
“The LDF government in Kerala has taken forward its welfare legacy and currently has the largest number of welfare schemes amongst all states of India,” it claimed.
When half-a-million houses proposed under the EMS housing scheme are completed, there would be no family in Kerala without a house, the resolution claimed.
In the agriculture sector, the measures adopted by the State government have been successful in putting an end to the suicides of farmers, it said and praised its government. However, Kerala Chief Minister Atchuthanandan wasn’t present at the meeting to accept the praises.
The resolution observed that the ruling classes had mounted a concerted offensive against the CPM, in its strong bastions, in order to weaken the resistance to their unbridled loot through the neo-liberal economic trajectory. The Assembly elections in May 2011 in Bengal and Kerala will be a major battle between the forces representing the interests of working people and those representing interests of capitalists, it said.
First Published : 10 Aug 2010 03:42:39 AM IST
Last Updated : 10 Aug 2010 11:59:21 AM IST
VIJAYAWADA: While opposing the entry of Church into politics in Kerala, CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury on Monday tried to woo Muslims in West Bengal saying that the West Bengal government had recently decided to implement the recommendations of the Ranganath Mishra Commission Report, including granting 10 per cent reservations to them in jobs.
Speaking to reporters after releasing the party’s resolution on the forthcoming elections in Kerala and Bengal, Yechury opposed the entry of the church into politics.
“With all due respects to the Church, I can say that religion has its space and politics has its space. In Kerala, the Congress-led UDF is trying to consolidate all the communal and caste forces around it. Sections of the Church are openly interfering in political affairs by conducting an anti- Communist campaign. Muslim and Hindu extremist forces are bracing themselves to disturb communal harmony in order to create political polarisation,” he said.
The resolution stated that despite the “nefarious” activities of extremists and communal forces, Kerala continues to maintain its excellent record of communal harmony. The resolution was mostly devoted to explain the “rapid” progress witnessed in the states under the CPM rule.
“The LDF government in Kerala has taken forward its welfare legacy and currently has the largest number of welfare schemes amongst all states of India,” it claimed.
When half-a-million houses proposed under the EMS housing scheme are completed, there would be no family in Kerala without a house, the resolution claimed.
In the agriculture sector, the measures adopted by the State government have been successful in putting an end to the suicides of farmers, it said and praised its government. However, Kerala Chief Minister Atchuthanandan wasn’t present at the meeting to accept the praises.
The resolution observed that the ruling classes had mounted a concerted offensive against the CPM, in its strong bastions, in order to weaken the resistance to their unbridled loot through the neo-liberal economic trajectory. The Assembly elections in May 2011 in Bengal and Kerala will be a major battle between the forces representing the interests of working people and those representing interests of capitalists, it said.
Comrades grapple with existential questions
VV Balakrishna
First Published : 09 Aug 2010 03:21:56 AM IST
Last Updated :
VIJAYAWADA: When the CPM's extended Central Committee meeting started discussing its draft political resolution here on Sunday, the big question before the comrades was how to retain power in West Bengal and Kerala where elections are due next May.
To start with, the party big wigs admitted that the situation was unfavourable. In West Bengal, the CPM, which has never lost Assembly elections for nearly three decades, is facing a serious threat from the Trinamool Congress-Congress combine. The Nandigram and Singur episodes further compounded the comrades' misery. If that is the situation in West Bengal, the party's other citadel Kerala too is crumbling. The infighting in the party's Kerala unit was reflected in the conspicuous absence of Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan at the Central Committee meeting here. However, party general secretary Prakash Karat said the Chief Minister could not make it as he was undergoing ayurvedic treatment. Achuthanandan had attended the Central Committee meeting three weeks back in Delhi, he pointed out. But his explanation did not carry conviction as four other comrades from Kerala too skipped the meeting ostensibly to undergo treatment.
Retaining power in Kerala and West Bengal is necessary for the future of the party in the country. In Bengal, the party has taken steps to remove organisational bottlenecks and reforge links with the people. But the situation as the committee felt was far from satisfactory. "The multi-pronged attack on the CPM cadre is meant to weaken the entire Left movement in the country,'' the CPM leadership observed. In Kerala, the party said, the Congress-led UDF was consolidating communal and reactionary forces behind it, particularly after the Lok Sabha polls.
The fact that the comrades were preoccupied with these two states was amply reflected in the speeches of the delegates, almost all of whom spoke mostly on the need to revive the party in the two states. The Central Committee is set to adopt a resolution on the two states on Monday. It has identified remedial steps to win back the confidence of voters in the states.
As for the other States, the central leadership was candid enough to admit it had made no headway in the Hindi heartland. "There is no substantial advance in other states,'' the draft resolution stated.
The committee sought to set at rest speculation over internal bickerings in the party particularly over withdrawing support to UPA-I govt on the controversial Indo-US civilian nuclear deal. "There is no basis for such reports. There is no discussion on such lines,'' a party delegate from Andhra Pradesh clarified.
First Published : 09 Aug 2010 03:21:56 AM IST
Last Updated :
VIJAYAWADA: When the CPM's extended Central Committee meeting started discussing its draft political resolution here on Sunday, the big question before the comrades was how to retain power in West Bengal and Kerala where elections are due next May.
To start with, the party big wigs admitted that the situation was unfavourable. In West Bengal, the CPM, which has never lost Assembly elections for nearly three decades, is facing a serious threat from the Trinamool Congress-Congress combine. The Nandigram and Singur episodes further compounded the comrades' misery. If that is the situation in West Bengal, the party's other citadel Kerala too is crumbling. The infighting in the party's Kerala unit was reflected in the conspicuous absence of Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan at the Central Committee meeting here. However, party general secretary Prakash Karat said the Chief Minister could not make it as he was undergoing ayurvedic treatment. Achuthanandan had attended the Central Committee meeting three weeks back in Delhi, he pointed out. But his explanation did not carry conviction as four other comrades from Kerala too skipped the meeting ostensibly to undergo treatment.
Retaining power in Kerala and West Bengal is necessary for the future of the party in the country. In Bengal, the party has taken steps to remove organisational bottlenecks and reforge links with the people. But the situation as the committee felt was far from satisfactory. "The multi-pronged attack on the CPM cadre is meant to weaken the entire Left movement in the country,'' the CPM leadership observed. In Kerala, the party said, the Congress-led UDF was consolidating communal and reactionary forces behind it, particularly after the Lok Sabha polls.
The fact that the comrades were preoccupied with these two states was amply reflected in the speeches of the delegates, almost all of whom spoke mostly on the need to revive the party in the two states. The Central Committee is set to adopt a resolution on the two states on Monday. It has identified remedial steps to win back the confidence of voters in the states.
As for the other States, the central leadership was candid enough to admit it had made no headway in the Hindi heartland. "There is no substantial advance in other states,'' the draft resolution stated.
The committee sought to set at rest speculation over internal bickerings in the party particularly over withdrawing support to UPA-I govt on the controversial Indo-US civilian nuclear deal. "There is no basis for such reports. There is no discussion on such lines,'' a party delegate from Andhra Pradesh clarified.
'Centre should clear stand on rally'
V V Balakrishna
Express News Service
First Published : 08 Aug 2010 11:52:00 PM IST
Last Updated : 09 Aug 2010 12:41:32 PM IST
VIJAYAWADA :CPM general secretary Prakash Karat on Sunday demanded that the Central Government should spell out how it was viewing the ‘joint-rally’ by Trinamool Congress and Maoists in Lalgarh on Monday.
Karat told reporters that though the Trinamool stated that it was organising the rally on a non-political platform, the rally was supported by the Maoists.
“How the Centre will view the joint collaboration” Karat asked as several Union Ministers of Trinamool were participating in the rally.
Recalling the Union Home Minister’s statement that there was no evidence of nexus between the Trinamool and Maoists, Karat wondered what the Centre would say on the joint-rally.
However, Karat supported the party’s stand on going aggressively against Trinamool and sparing the West Bengal Congress.
“Trinamool, which is resorting to attacks on our cadre, is our main target”.
“The Congress is a junior partner in the alliance,” Karat explained.
Asked about withdrawing the support to UPA-1 Government and forging a third alternative in the Lok Sabha elections, Karat said that the party’s stand was correct irrespective of electoral reverses.
However, he, clarified that the third alternative was not on the Left’s immediate agenda.
He said the party would work with regional parties which had secular credentials on various issues.
Karat also ruled out the possibility of CPM moving closer to the NDA or the BJP.
“Four comrades, including Achuthanandan, were absent at the meeting, as they were undergoing ayurvedic treatment,” Karat said.
Express News Service
First Published : 08 Aug 2010 11:52:00 PM IST
Last Updated : 09 Aug 2010 12:41:32 PM IST
VIJAYAWADA :CPM general secretary Prakash Karat on Sunday demanded that the Central Government should spell out how it was viewing the ‘joint-rally’ by Trinamool Congress and Maoists in Lalgarh on Monday.
Karat told reporters that though the Trinamool stated that it was organising the rally on a non-political platform, the rally was supported by the Maoists.
“How the Centre will view the joint collaboration” Karat asked as several Union Ministers of Trinamool were participating in the rally.
Recalling the Union Home Minister’s statement that there was no evidence of nexus between the Trinamool and Maoists, Karat wondered what the Centre would say on the joint-rally.
However, Karat supported the party’s stand on going aggressively against Trinamool and sparing the West Bengal Congress.
“Trinamool, which is resorting to attacks on our cadre, is our main target”.
“The Congress is a junior partner in the alliance,” Karat explained.
Asked about withdrawing the support to UPA-1 Government and forging a third alternative in the Lok Sabha elections, Karat said that the party’s stand was correct irrespective of electoral reverses.
However, he, clarified that the third alternative was not on the Left’s immediate agenda.
He said the party would work with regional parties which had secular credentials on various issues.
Karat also ruled out the possibility of CPM moving closer to the NDA or the BJP.
“Four comrades, including Achuthanandan, were absent at the meeting, as they were undergoing ayurvedic treatment,” Karat said.
Tax the rich to pay for the poor: Prakash Karat
V V Balakrishna
First Published : 08 Aug 2010 12:36:25 AM IST
Last Updated : 08 Aug 2010 11:01:16 AM IST
VIJAYAWADA: Expressing serious concern over rampant corruption, CPM general secretary Prakash Karat on Saturday suggested that more taxes should be levied on corporates and affluent sections to generate funds for developmental programmes.
In his inaugural address at the four-day extended meeting of the CPM central committee which began here on Saturday, Karat said, “Speculative capital flows must be regulated and profits from such foreign institutional investment taxed. Steps should be taken to recover illegal money kept in tax havens and secret bank accounts. Corporates and affluent sections should pay more taxes. It is with the increased tax revenue that there can be increased public expenditure on education, health and social welfare.”
He lamented that every institution of the state and every pore of society was getting polluted and corrupted. The nexus between big business and politics was now out in the open.
“Public policy making has been suborned to serve the interests of the rich and powerful strata. Corruption, through the siphoning off of public funds, preys on the common people who find their rations and other entitlements vanishing into the pockets of a corrupt and greedy nexus of bureaucrats-politicians-contractors,” Karat alleged.
The CPM leader said, things have reached such a stage where the mining mafia of the Bellary brothers was dictating the politics in Karnataka and also influencing political events in Andhra Pradesh.
Karat also found fault with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for accepting and implementing what captains of big businesses in the US and India propose. “The agenda for all anti-people policies is being propelled by the Indo-US CEO Forum,” he alleged.
On the party’s performance, Karat said that the CPM suffered reverses in both West Bengal and Kerala in the Lok Sabha polls. “The party has identified steps to be taken to remedy the situation. We should do our utmost so that people of both states renew their faith in the party,” he said.
Comments
Golden words from Karat....meant for whom..? For the poor and downtrodden, who are forced to remain like that as a strong cadre force for political parties...? Is working hard... wrong ? When U work harder, U earn more money....Then, is taking that money as a recognition of working harder..is wrong...? Are U suggesting to penalise people who work hard(er)....??? Confusing words from a (supposedly)senior and trusted(atleast by some) political leader.....!!
By gopa varma
8/10/2010 11:29:00 AM
What is the difference between Indian communism and Chinese communism? Chinese communists embraced capitalism during the ping-pong diplomacy of Henry Kissinger. The attitude of love and mercy and freedom of expression and respect of human dignity is theo-centric and only a genuine search for a truthful vision will be a beatitude for INDIA.
By I:C.S
8/9/2010 10:36:00 PM
Lets start with Mr Karat and his family first
By V
8/9/2010 3:23:00 PM
We get what we deserve. Majority of people have been corrupted by the big government controlling everything. Basic necessities are scarce and people have to get it by hook or crook. The honest people have become a minority. It has become difficult to be honest in India. Out dated Commies may loose their national party status if not in the next election then in the following one. We should not worry about Karat and Company. Corruption can be reduced by reducing the size of government. We need more people thinking along these lines and electing such leaders.
By Suman Kumar Mishr MD
8/8/2010 10:33:00 PM
kindly name one who u find corrupt with some authenticity. in which fivestar hotel u find any of them n when kindly help me to increase my gk.also name one from cpm whom u find travelling firstclass other then what prescribed.
By sps
8/8/2010 5:23:00 PM
whats the point of moderating the comments,freedom of speech and expression is the basic right of democracy.
By dan
8/8/2010 4:42:00 PM
how about this,instead of taxing rich,why dont just audit all the goverment official and what ever cash,gold ,land and other properties also over sees account and false companies set up by their relatives that are not reported on their tax seized and liquidated .i bet will create enough revenue that there will be no need to tax rich hard working class people who dream big and create jobs and keeps the nation economy going.and also dont forget to check govt official pockets you will find something in there to thats not been reported to govt .time to rise and wake up dont be fooled by these fools.
By dan
8/8/2010 4:39:00 PM
Don't we have ignorantly arrogant and egoistically and despotically anthropo-centric materialism in our democratic furniture?
By i
8/8/2010 4:38:00 PM
Sri Karat the known rich are dying paying taxes, but the richer and the richest not knwn are the Politicians and govt officials, who are stinking in public money sqaunder, can mr Karat any politician who is not rich, and yet in politics and surviving, these rich have unlimited power utility, and money flows with their nod, who paid taxes for Bofors-Fodder-the tele com scam-the sugar scam-the iron ore mining scam the lefts undisclosed income for 3 decades have loads of money in a bankrupt backward w Bengal, you should also know all these people are servants of the people and are enjoying hiegest lifestyle-A/c,cars, personals-bunglows, and of course the trump card i.e the power to make money
By s kumar
8/8/2010 4:17:00 PM
well said Mr. Rajeev Kumar. We the common people are fooled.
By karpaka_rajan_v_Chettiar
8/8/2010 1:01:00 PM
It is not as simple as that Mr Karat..!!! Do you mean to say that by imposing a tax of Rs 100/= on the rich will ensure that it will automatically each the poor ? I am afraid not..!! 70% goes off to the pockets of politicians and officials through rampant corruption....25% is wasted .....and 3% is accounted for cost escalations and finally if ....God willing...may be 1% will reach the poor...!!!! This is a fact in our country. Unless we are willing to change the system and politicians like you make up your mind - by wowing to selfless give work with real 'sacrifice' ......no improvement will happen by merely imposing taxes in the rich....!!! Think about it....!!!!
By Sukumar Vasudevan
8/8/2010 12:50:00 PM
All political parties die swallowing their own lies.CPI -M is also a on death bed.What Communists have done to counter all pervasve corruption?Their Ministers are as corrupt as are those from Congress,BJP,DMK,ADMK,RJD,etc.etc.All have made a secret pact to loot the public and to lead lives that Maharajas of yore would have envied.They all live in Rs 500 - crore palaces in Lutyan`s Delhi,they all travel first class ,lead five star life-styles.Not a single party has tried to appoint a LOK-PAL to tackle corruption at the top.They are all in silent conspiracy to thwart any attempt to fight corruption.What Karat has to say? Rajeev Kumar
By Rajeev Kumar
8/8/2010 11:28:00 AM
Post your comments
First Published : 08 Aug 2010 12:36:25 AM IST
Last Updated : 08 Aug 2010 11:01:16 AM IST
VIJAYAWADA: Expressing serious concern over rampant corruption, CPM general secretary Prakash Karat on Saturday suggested that more taxes should be levied on corporates and affluent sections to generate funds for developmental programmes.
In his inaugural address at the four-day extended meeting of the CPM central committee which began here on Saturday, Karat said, “Speculative capital flows must be regulated and profits from such foreign institutional investment taxed. Steps should be taken to recover illegal money kept in tax havens and secret bank accounts. Corporates and affluent sections should pay more taxes. It is with the increased tax revenue that there can be increased public expenditure on education, health and social welfare.”
He lamented that every institution of the state and every pore of society was getting polluted and corrupted. The nexus between big business and politics was now out in the open.
“Public policy making has been suborned to serve the interests of the rich and powerful strata. Corruption, through the siphoning off of public funds, preys on the common people who find their rations and other entitlements vanishing into the pockets of a corrupt and greedy nexus of bureaucrats-politicians-contractors,” Karat alleged.
The CPM leader said, things have reached such a stage where the mining mafia of the Bellary brothers was dictating the politics in Karnataka and also influencing political events in Andhra Pradesh.
Karat also found fault with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for accepting and implementing what captains of big businesses in the US and India propose. “The agenda for all anti-people policies is being propelled by the Indo-US CEO Forum,” he alleged.
On the party’s performance, Karat said that the CPM suffered reverses in both West Bengal and Kerala in the Lok Sabha polls. “The party has identified steps to be taken to remedy the situation. We should do our utmost so that people of both states renew their faith in the party,” he said.
Comments
Golden words from Karat....meant for whom..? For the poor and downtrodden, who are forced to remain like that as a strong cadre force for political parties...? Is working hard... wrong ? When U work harder, U earn more money....Then, is taking that money as a recognition of working harder..is wrong...? Are U suggesting to penalise people who work hard(er)....??? Confusing words from a (supposedly)senior and trusted(atleast by some) political leader.....!!
By gopa varma
8/10/2010 11:29:00 AM
What is the difference between Indian communism and Chinese communism? Chinese communists embraced capitalism during the ping-pong diplomacy of Henry Kissinger. The attitude of love and mercy and freedom of expression and respect of human dignity is theo-centric and only a genuine search for a truthful vision will be a beatitude for INDIA.
By I:C.S
8/9/2010 10:36:00 PM
Lets start with Mr Karat and his family first
By V
8/9/2010 3:23:00 PM
We get what we deserve. Majority of people have been corrupted by the big government controlling everything. Basic necessities are scarce and people have to get it by hook or crook. The honest people have become a minority. It has become difficult to be honest in India. Out dated Commies may loose their national party status if not in the next election then in the following one. We should not worry about Karat and Company. Corruption can be reduced by reducing the size of government. We need more people thinking along these lines and electing such leaders.
By Suman Kumar Mishr MD
8/8/2010 10:33:00 PM
kindly name one who u find corrupt with some authenticity. in which fivestar hotel u find any of them n when kindly help me to increase my gk.also name one from cpm whom u find travelling firstclass other then what prescribed.
By sps
8/8/2010 5:23:00 PM
whats the point of moderating the comments,freedom of speech and expression is the basic right of democracy.
By dan
8/8/2010 4:42:00 PM
how about this,instead of taxing rich,why dont just audit all the goverment official and what ever cash,gold ,land and other properties also over sees account and false companies set up by their relatives that are not reported on their tax seized and liquidated .i bet will create enough revenue that there will be no need to tax rich hard working class people who dream big and create jobs and keeps the nation economy going.and also dont forget to check govt official pockets you will find something in there to thats not been reported to govt .time to rise and wake up dont be fooled by these fools.
By dan
8/8/2010 4:39:00 PM
Don't we have ignorantly arrogant and egoistically and despotically anthropo-centric materialism in our democratic furniture?
By i
8/8/2010 4:38:00 PM
Sri Karat the known rich are dying paying taxes, but the richer and the richest not knwn are the Politicians and govt officials, who are stinking in public money sqaunder, can mr Karat any politician who is not rich, and yet in politics and surviving, these rich have unlimited power utility, and money flows with their nod, who paid taxes for Bofors-Fodder-the tele com scam-the sugar scam-the iron ore mining scam the lefts undisclosed income for 3 decades have loads of money in a bankrupt backward w Bengal, you should also know all these people are servants of the people and are enjoying hiegest lifestyle-A/c,cars, personals-bunglows, and of course the trump card i.e the power to make money
By s kumar
8/8/2010 4:17:00 PM
well said Mr. Rajeev Kumar. We the common people are fooled.
By karpaka_rajan_v_Chettiar
8/8/2010 1:01:00 PM
It is not as simple as that Mr Karat..!!! Do you mean to say that by imposing a tax of Rs 100/= on the rich will ensure that it will automatically each the poor ? I am afraid not..!! 70% goes off to the pockets of politicians and officials through rampant corruption....25% is wasted .....and 3% is accounted for cost escalations and finally if ....God willing...may be 1% will reach the poor...!!!! This is a fact in our country. Unless we are willing to change the system and politicians like you make up your mind - by wowing to selfless give work with real 'sacrifice' ......no improvement will happen by merely imposing taxes in the rich....!!! Think about it....!!!!
By Sukumar Vasudevan
8/8/2010 12:50:00 PM
All political parties die swallowing their own lies.CPI -M is also a on death bed.What Communists have done to counter all pervasve corruption?Their Ministers are as corrupt as are those from Congress,BJP,DMK,ADMK,RJD,etc.etc.All have made a secret pact to loot the public and to lead lives that Maharajas of yore would have envied.They all live in Rs 500 - crore palaces in Lutyan`s Delhi,they all travel first class ,lead five star life-styles.Not a single party has tried to appoint a LOK-PAL to tackle corruption at the top.They are all in silent conspiracy to thwart any attempt to fight corruption.What Karat has to say? Rajeev Kumar
By Rajeev Kumar
8/8/2010 11:28:00 AM
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