People's Democracy

HUNDREDS of activists of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) took out a mock-funeral procession in Vijayawada city on December 12, with a coffin symbolising the "corrupt" NDA government. They also burnt the effigy of George Fernandes whose defence ministry has been indicted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for "financial impropriety" in the import of coffins for the Kargil martyrs.

The CPI(M) activists staged a dharna in front of Lenin Statue in the city, demanding immediate resignation of the "corrupt and inefficient" defence minister. They said the CAG report had pointed out that supplies worth Rs 2,150 crore, including boots and gloves for the soldiers during the Kargil conflict, had been received after the cessation of hostilities in July 1999.

Addressing the activists, the CPI(M)’s V Umamaheswara Rao demanded that Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, whose Telugu Desam Party is offering crucial outside support to the Vajpayee government, should immediately withdraw support from it.

Later, the activists put the charred effigy into the coffin.

In Delhi, the state units of the SFI and DYFI held on December 13 a protest demonstration in front of parliament to demand immediate removal of George Fernandes from the office of defence minister. A large number of students and youth participated in the protest. Several MPs from the Left parties joined the protest and addressed the gathering.

The SFI and DYFI have called upon the students and youth to organise protest demonstrations across the country, demanding the resignation of George Fernandes. (INN)