People's Democracy

A 72-member reception committee for the forthcoming 17th congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) was formed at a meeting in Hyderabad recently. As was announced earlier, the party congress is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from March 19 to 24, 2002.

The meeting, which was attended by CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechuri, accepted the proposal for the reception committee placed by the party’s state secretariat member Dr Y Radhakrishna Murty.

The committee will pursue the arrangements for the party congress. Koratala Satyanarayana, member of CPI(M) Central Committee, will be the chairman of this committee while B V Raghavulu will be its secretary.

Speaking on this occasion, Sitaram Yechuri emphasised on the necessity of the Left forces to evolve as an alternative political force in the country, as it is they alone who could provide a solution to the deep-rooted political, economic and social crisis facing the nation.

He expressed the hope that the holding of the party congress would add to the ongoing efforts being made by the party for bringing back the past glory of the communist movement in Andhra Pradesh.

While recalling the role played by Andhra Pradesh in the communist movement, in building the party and spreading its ideology, Yechuri said the legendary Telangana struggle symbolised the phenomenon out of which emerged the transitions in socio-economic and political conditions, particularly the revolutionary movement. He reminded that the basic discussions and understanding on theoretical issues regarding the communist understanding about bourgeoisie, history, the way to adapt Marxism to the Indian conditions emerged from this movement. He also stressed the need to build militant struggles against imperialism, communalism and corruption.

While the meeting was presided over by Koratala Satyanarayana, many state secretariat members were also present on the dais. A large number of party cadres and sympathisers attended this meeting.