THE first plenum of the Telangana state committee of CPI(M), held in Nagarjuna Sagar, Nalgonda district from October 25th to 26th, reviewed the political situation in the state and the severe problems facing the people. It adopted several resolutions on people’s issues, including on the grave agrarian crisis in the state and called upon the state government to take urgent steps to check the ongoing suicides of farmers.
Telangana armed struggle veteran and CPI(M) senior leader Mallu Swarajyam hoisted the Party flag in the venue of the plenum that was christened Narra Raghava Reddy Nagar, in memory of after another Telangana armed struggle veteran from the district. Delegates led by Party leaders paid homage to martyrs at the martyrs column in the venue. Prominent educationist Chukka Ramaiah inaugurated a photo exhibition on this occasion. The presidium comprised of CPI(M) central committee member Cherupally Sitaramulu, state secretariat member G Ramulu and state committee member Hymavati.
CPI(M) Polit Bureau member B V Raghavulu in his inaugural speech lambasted the two chief ministers of the two Telugu states for duping the people through their fraudulent actions. Not only Chandrababu Naidu and K Chandrashekar Rao but even the prime minister Narendra Modi were touring foreign countries and trying to create an impression among people that wonders will follow. But the reality is that the world economic situation is in dire straits and there are no signs of it being overcome in the near future. The figures released by IMF on October 6th prove this point. Developed, developing and backward nations are all facing economic crisis and the two chief ministers must keep this in mind while tomtomming their trips to Singapore, Japan, China etc. It is foolish on their part to ignore the effort needed to increase the purchasing power of people here and go around the world seeking investments and raising illusions among the people. The economic crisis has not reduced even in BRICS nations. Although Modi is hyping ‘Make in India’ programme, the country’s GDP is still around 7.3 only, he said. The mantra of the rulers now is to cut down government expenditure and subsidies to people, amend the labour laws etc to overcome the economic crisis. This is being pushed with devious intention. He asked the rulers to learn from China which even cut down its production and focussed on increasing the purchasing power of the people.
Raghavulu termed the ongoing intolerant acts by Hindutva forces on beef as fascist manifestations. Muslims and dalits are facing growing attacks after Modi-led NDA assumed power. He condemned the attacks on reason and scientific temper. Although they are trying to show as different entities, both BJP and RSS are working in unison to implement their Hindutva agenda. He charged them of conspiracy to end Constitutionally guaranteed reservations in the country by encouraging the ongoing agitations against reservations. Raghavulu said religion must be limited to individual’s personal sphere and must not be linked to politics. As class exploitation and social domination are going on presently in the country, there is need to also wage class and social struggle simultaneously. The Left parties have to more unitedly work to lead these struggles.
POLICE RULE
IN THE STATE
CPI(M) Telangana state secretary Thammineni Veerabhadram charged that there is police rule in Telangana. The authoritarian tendency of the chief minister was evident by the buying of opposition MLAs and by his intention of finishing opposition parties. Lathicharges on agitating employees and workers, foisting of false cases, indulging in bogus encounter killings are all part of this, he said.
Briefing the media about the deliberations of the plenum on its second day, Thammineni said this TRS government has even ended the tradition of recognising the workers right to strike on genuine demands. KCR who talked of democratic Telangana during the agitation for statehood, has now removed over 1200 municipal workers for taking part in the strike. By threatening to remove other workers also in public meetings, what signals is he sending, questioned the CPI(M) leader. They are not even receiving the memorandums being submitted by the striking workers and the ministers are making irresponsible statements. The CM himself termed the unions leading the strike as ‘good for nothing’ organisations. The democratic sections in the state are perturbed at these developments. The CPI(M) will not leave any stone unturned till these workers are reinstated and the problems of workers are resolved, he asserted. He expressed support to the continuing strike by 25,000 Asha workers. He announced that the delegates and people who came to the plenum voluntarily donated over Rs 1 lakh to the Asha workers. There would be a statewide collection of solidarity fund for Asha workers on October 31st. The promise of distributing 3 acres of land to dalits has remained only on paper even after one and half years. A statewide convention would be held on November 4th on this issue and even then if the government does not act, we would launch direct land agitation. The scheme of constructing double-bed room houses for urban poor evoked great expectations from the people but the government after promising 400 such houses in each assembly constituency is now giving only 3 or 4 houses. Thammineni sought waiver of farm loans in one go and enactment of a comprehensive legislation on the lines brought by the LDF government in Kerala. He sought release of 5000 cusecs of water instead of present 2500 cusecs in the Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal in order to save the standing crops. He sought increase in reservations for tribals to 10 per cent in tune with their population strength in the new state. Thammineni demanded enactment of legislation for BC sub plan. He also sought giving of importance to MBCs and implementation of schemes on lines of SC, ST schemes for their welfare. The CPI(M) would launch agitations in the coming period for subsidies to the poor in health and education sectors. He questioned the government’s intention in changing the existing designs of irrigation projects and wondered whether they were linked to getting more commissions rather than benefiting the farmers. He demanded consultations with opposition parties before finalising any of these changes. Party state secretariat members B Venkat, J Ranga Reddy and state committee member M Ramulu also participated in the press conference.
(INN)
