People's Democracy

MAHARASHTRA

Strike Preparations in Full Swing

                                                                                                                P R Krishnan

THE Maharashtra state units of all the 11 central trade union organisations, which have given the call for a nationwide strike on February 20 and 21, are making vigorous preparations for making this national level protest action a historic success in the state. Apart from the state units of the central trade union organisations, those of several independent unions, industrial federations, professional associations, organisations of school, college and university teachers, retail traders’ organisations etc are also getting ready to participate in the two day strike in Maharashtra. As a part of these preparations, districts level conventions of industrial workers and middle class employees are also being organised in different parts of Maharashtra.

It is noteworthy in this connection that in so far as Maharashtra is concerned, the Shiv Sena led Bhartiya Kamgar Sena Mahasangh has also lent full support for the two-day protest action. Leaders of the trade unions joint action committee, which comprises the central trade union organisations, recently had had a meeting with Shiv Sena president Udhav Thackre in Mumbai on February 1. The Shiv Sena president has conveyed to the trade union leaders full support for the protest actions against the anti-working class and anti-people policies of the Congress led UPA government at the centre and of the NCP-INCP coalition government in Maharashtra and for the 11 points demands charter of working class organisations.

The trade unions joint action committee, which met in Mumbai on February 4 under the presidentship of the CITU’s K L Bajaj, has chalked out a series of joint conventions in the city for the coming days. This includes a long march in the city on February 18 instant. This will start from the Victoria Garden (Rani Baug) in central Mumbai and conclude in a massive rally at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai which will be addressed by leaders of different organisations. Like the Left parties at the national level, the Left parties and other progressive and mass organisations in the state have also extended support for the two-day strike action.

It is also important to mention in this regard that the first day of the two-day action, i.e. February 20, will be observed as the Maharashtra Bandh whereas the second day, i.e. February 21, will be observed as a day of hartal. Accordingly, shops and establishments will remain closed throughout Maharashtra to join the national strike on the 20th. Simultaneously, industrial workers, bank and insurance employees, teachers, transport employees, dock and port employees and various other sections of the working class will down their pens and tools in order to observe total strike on both the days in the state.