People's Democracy

JHARKHAND NEWSLETTER

 CPI(M) Chalks Out Action Plan

  J S Majumdar

THE Jharkhand state unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has hailed the 14th Lok Sabha election results as a clear verdict of the people against the communal and divisive forces and for amity among all toiling sections. The results also signify a rejection of the pro-rich economic policy of the Vajpayee government and a desire for change to make the economic policy pro-people. The people have also rejected the former government’s policy of subjugation before imperialist pressure, to the detriment of the country’s independence and sovereignty.

It will be noted that out of 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the BJP could win only three this time.

The CPI(M) is of the opinion that, taking lessons from the people’s mandate, it is our responsibility to see that the BJP led government in Jharkhand, one that is continuously fomenting and raising various divisive slogans and issues, is removed from power at the earliest. The party has appealed to all the opposition secular parties not to allow the BJP and its allies any chance to divide the toiling sections of Jharkhand by raising divisive slogans.

Saying the CPI(M) in Jharkhand has the responsibility to keep the toiling sections united for the purpose of fighting against the pro-rich economic policies and pressurise the government to change its policies in favour of the people --- workers, agricultural workers, peasants, unemployed youth, students, women and the socially oppressed sections including the Adivasis, Dalits, other backward sections and minorities. There are attempts by the ruling classes and the BJP to divide and disarm the people so that they are unable to fight for their upliftment. At this crucial juncture, the CPI(M), other Left parties and the organisations of various sections of people have to remain vigilant and active for preserving the people’s unity and building pressure on the government.

The CPI(M) says it will be its effort to remove the BJP and its allies from power in the coming Vidhan Sabha election. It will try its best to ensure that secular votes are not divided and that the BJP and its allies are not defeated in the coming Vidhan Sabha election in the state. The CPI(M) will also try to increase its strength, and also the strength of the Left as a whole, inside and outside the assembly so that sufficient pressure can be built up to change the state government’s policies in favour of the people.

To this end, the CPI(M)’s state committee has decided to work for the following objectives; the latter will serve as guideline for the party in Jharkhand. It is of the opinion that, in the changed political situation in the country, the CPI(M), various mass organisations and their supporters should organise and unite the people for struggle on the following immediate issues.

1. To check all the communal and divisive force and to create amity among all toiling sections.

2. For food security, for a strengthened public distribution system and social securities for dispossessed and deprived sections.

3. For guaranteed job to the rural unemployed, food for work on priority basis, ensured minimum wages.

4. For relief to the peasants including irrigation facilities and agricultural inputs, loan waiver, easy loan and fair prices for their produce.

5. For land reforms, restoration of tribal lands, rights on forest land and forest produce.

6. For immediate holding of panchayat elections.

7. For a check on corruption in rural development schemes and formation of all-party vigilance committees at all levels to oversee implementation of schemes with active support and approval of the people.

8. For protection of public sector units, revival of closed industries, revival of small scale and home based industries.

9. For job security, social security and protection of rights of the workers, guarantee of minimum wages for unorganised workers, regular payment of wages.

10. For creation of jobs for the unemployed youth, universal education, primary education in mother languages including Adivasi languages.

11. For relief to and protection of women against social and economic exploitation or discrimination.

The CPI(M) state committee asked all its members and supporters to organise block level demonstrations, dharnas and public meetings throughout the state in response to the call of the Left parties from June 25 to 30 on the following demands:

1. Resignation of the Arjun Munda government.

2. Immediate holding of panchayat elections.

3. Enquiry into corruption in the name of village development schemes; all-party vigilance committees at all levels to oversee implementation of the schemes with approval and active support of the people. 

In the meantime, various units of the CPI(M), Kisan Sabha and DYFI in the state have decided to hold panchayat level conventions of peasants and agricultural workers and block level conventions of the youth from July 1 to August 15.

The CPI(M) has also urged the trade unions, organisations of women, the SFI and others to undertake programmes for organising and uniting various toiling sections in the state and build up pressure to get the government’s policies changed in favour of these sections.