POLIT BUREAU COMMUNIQUÉ

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi on July 29 and 30, 2005. It has issued the following statement on July 31:

Floods In Maharashtra

THE Polit Bureau expressed deep sorrow at the heavy loss of lives due to the torrential rains in Maharashtra. More than 800 people have died in the devastation which has mainly affected Mumbai, Thane and Raigad. The state administration and the Mumbai Municipal Corporation came to a standstill and failed to respond to the grim situation. Even four days after the rains, people have not received relief in many parts. Electricity, water and other essential supplies remain cut off. Farmers have suffered heavy losses due to destruction of crops and cattle. The administration has to gear up to provide speedy relief and restore essential services and supplies. Steps have to be taken to cope with such disasters in the future and institute stringent measures for planned urban development. The central government must provide adequate support and coordinate the measures that are needed.

Crisis Within The BJP

The continuing controversy about L K Advani continuing as the president of the BJP shows how the party is unable to reconcile its role as a normal political party while having to act at the behest of the RSS. The recent effort to avert a confrontation on the issue over the leadership of the party cannot hide the fact that the BJP is merely a front of the RSS. The ideological confusion and disarray has become evident to all. The efforts of the BJP to recover ground by picking up issues based on the Hindutva platform is not meeting with any meaningful response from the people.

The allies of the BJP in the NDA have no grounds whatsoever now to pretend that they are not part of a combination whose major party obeys the RSS dictates.

Bihar Elections

The Polit Bureau discussed a report on the political situation in Bihar submitted by the state unit of the Party. It decided to work for a broad unity of the democratic and secular forces to ensure the defeat of the JD(U)-BJP combine. In this connection the Party will discuss with the RJD about seat adjustments while striving to see that there is a wider understanding. The Party will conduct an independent campaign to project how the problems of the state can be tackled.

Jammu & Kashmir

The Polit Bureau expressed serious concern at the rising number of extremist attacks in Srinagar and other areas which have targeted both the civilian population and the security forces. The spurt in attacks is accompanied by the efforts to step up infiltration from across the border during the summer season. The state administration and the central government should take necessary measures to check the movement of extremists and to preempt their attacks.

At the same time, the Polit Bureau stressed the importance of avoiding any violence on the civilian population by the security forces. In a shocking incident in Kupwara three young boys were killed by the army in the night mistaking them to be militants. This tragic incident underlines how important it is to prevent such excesses which further adds to the alienation of the people and undermines the possibilities of restoring peace.

India-US Agreements

The Polit Bureau reiterated its stand on the recent agreements arrived at with the United States.

• The Polit Bureau considers the India-US Defence Framework Agreement as another step towards India serving the global strategy of the United States which is harmful for our strategic and security interests.

• The joint statement issued after the prime minister’s visit shows the continuation of the trend of India being accommodated as an ally of the United States with decisions such as the joint democracy initiative and accepting the US leadership in the fight against terrorism.

• The Polit Bureau emphasised the importance of maintaining our independence in developing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. The Department of Atomic Energy should not be weakened while implementing the nuclear cooperation agreement on the basis of structured reciprocity.

Nepal

The Polit Bureau strongly condemned the continuing repression by the King’s regime in Nepal of political activists and those working to restore democracy. The road map to restore democracy promised by the King when he met the Indian prime minister at Jakarta has proved to be farcical. The former prime minister Sher Singh Deuba has been sentenced to two years in imprisonment on a concocted case of corruption along with another former minister. A well-known student leader has been arrested and is being tried for sedition while other student leaders languish in jail. The right of association of government employees has been suppressed. Increasingly, the people of Nepal are realising that the monarchy is incompatible with a democratic set up.

In such a situation, the CPI(M) expects the government of India to reconsider its stand of resuming military supplies and for a firm stand in support of the restoration of democracy.

Kerala

The Polit Bureau discussed a report on the Malappuram state conference submitted by the Kerala state committee of the Party. It decided on certain measures to tackle the organisational issues which had arisen.

Call For Countrywide Movement

The central committee had given a call for a countrywide campaign in August and for launching movements in September on issues connected with land, food and employment. The Polit Bureau heard reports about the preparations for this campaign and movement and called upon all its Party units to seriously undertake this programme.

The Polit Bureau extended its full support to the call by the Sponsoring Committee of Trade Unions for a one-day general strike on September 29 on a 16-point charter of demands. It called upon all its Party units to work for making the strike a success.

Next CC Meeting

The Polit Bureau decided to convene the next meeting of the central committee between September 2 and 4, 2005 in New Delhi. (INN)