People's Democracy

Impressive Election Rally in Solapur

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury attacked the Congress party and the Manmohan Singh government for looking the other side even as an important component of its government, Trinamool Congress, continues to actively encourage the Maoists in West Bengal.

Addressing an impressive election rally in Solapur city on October 9, 2009 in favour of CPI(M) candidate and sitting MLA from Solapur central constituency, Narsayya Adam Master, he made this attack. �The prime minister keeps saying that Maoists are a grave threat to the nation. But in his own cabinet, there are ministers who are actively aiding these forces. Is this not desh droh?�, he questioned rhetorically.

Union minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, whose daughter Praniti Shinde is contesting against the CPI(M) candidate here, had termed the CPI(M) desh drohi in a press meet here yesterday saying it is the same ideology as that of Maoists. Referring to this, Yechury made the above comments. He said it is only the CPI(M) that is politically fighting the Maoists in West Bengal and in the process more than 127 of its cadre and supporters became martyrs in the last few months alone. Yechury asserted CPI(M) doesn't need any certificates from anyone, particularly the likes of Shinde who are sitting in the cabinet along with those who are aiding Maoists,  about its patriotic credentials. He called upon the people of Solapur to give a befitting reply to Shinde by electing the CPI(M)'s candidate, who is a people's man from this constituency.

Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar in his speech hit out at the Congress-NCP government for its pro-rich policies and neglect of agriculture, without which no development is possible.

CPI(M) central committee member Mohd Salim lambasted the bourgeoisie parties for making a mockery of democracy and elections by roping in film stars, resorting to distribution of money, liquor etc. He said both the NCP-Congress and the BJP-Shiv Sena were looting the people in turns and that time has come for the people of Maharashtra to chose an alternative path. Referring to spate of dynasty candidates in the polls in Maharashtra, Salim criticised these parties for turning lok tantra (democracy) into parivar tantra (family rule). He called upon people to be aware that these leaders are taking their families to heights while ruining the families of millions of the poor. He also exposed the Congress party's soft stand towards Hindutva forces.

CPI(M) state secretary Ashok Dhawale, Party candidate Narsayya Adam Master, district leaders of RPI, Samajwadi Party and others also spoke in the meeting. Workers of Solapur turned out in big numbers for the meeting.

(NSA)