THE first state conference of Telangana state unit of CPI(M) was marked by confidence inspiring deliberations about the future of the Party and the Left in the newly created state. Placing the Political-Organisational Report after the inaugural session before the 700 delegates, state secretary Thammineni Veerabhadram said the crucial element for the future is the unity between Left, democratic and social forces in Telangana. The CPI(M) is committed to taking this unity to higher levels. Already 10 Left parties in the state are working in tandem on various issues facing the public. To this would be adding the social forces to whom the Left is already reaching out. He underlined that this is needed to thwart the policies of the ruling classes.

The people of the state are eagerly waiting for the promises made by the chief minister to be fulfilled but there are only words and words, no deeds. In such a situation traces of discontentment are becoming evident among people. The Party must gear up to strengthen its machinery so that it can lead the popular movements if the TRS government continues to neglect people’s aspirations. The work of each wholetimer in the state has been reviewed and measures to improve their functioning have been taken. This exercise must be done regularly, he said.

The tactics adopted by the Party in the newly formed state were focussed on two objectives -- lessen the unfavourable situation for the Party due to its stand for united state and gain presence in the new assembly.  After trying for an alliance with TRS, we took the decision to support that party in seats we were not contesting. This tactic helped us in achieving the first objective. We could also win one seat in Khammam district. Thammineni acknowledged that the tactics adopted by Party leadership in the integrated state especially in the circumstances of heightened passions on the issue of division of state also helped in shielding the Party in this region.

HYDERABAD

MEGA CAMPAIGN

The report also noted that the ‘Hyderabad Mega Campaign’ launched by the Party during January 20 to February 10 in the run up to the first state conference was a big success and yielded positive results. On an average daily 1873 activists of the Party formed into 426 teams and went house to house explaining about the conference and activities of the CPI(M). During this 21 day campaign the teams met 8.99 lakh families in the city. Of them around 2.87 lakh families gave contributions to the Party conference fund. CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat had launched this campaign in Hyderabad during the Central Committee meetings in Hyderabad. On an average each team could meet 100 families each day. The Report noted that this campaign helped in reaching the Party to newer sections of people as also reviving contact with around 6000 old Party families which migrated to the city from the districts. The Party cadre could understand the issues facing Hyderabadis as also the mood of the people. It also helped the cadre to develop their skills in dealing with hostile and anti-Party persons. 

Discussions on the Report by delegates endorsed the understanding placed and made suggestions to further strengthen it. Delegates participated in the discussion district wise and mass organisations wise for over a day.  After reply by the state secretary, the conference adopted the Report unanimously.

INTERVENTION

IN CULTURAL SPHERE

A separate document has been placed, again by Thammineni Veerabhadram, on Party’s  intervention in cultural sphere. The vast areas to work for projecting an alternative culture to the present capitalist, consumer-oriented decadent culture formed major part of the document. Dispelling the notion that only economic struggles would advance the class struggle, the document laid stress on simultaneously waging struggles in non-economic spheres, especially in culture. The formation of Centre for Telangana People’s Culture by the Party was a significant move in this direction. The activities conducted in the brief period since its inception attracted good attention and helped in gathering progressive artistes around the platform. The document called for utilising all means of communication, including social media, to advance our struggle in the cultural sphere.

A complete day was spent for discussion on the document. Delegates from the districts welcomed this move and promised to strengthen this intervention. Polit Bureau member M A Baby who was present throughout the conference spoke on the concluding day and appreciated the placing of this document on culture. He said the importance given for intervention in this sphere by the Telangana state committee of the Party is laudable and worthy of emulation.

After reply from Thammineni Veerabhadram, the conference authorised the new state committee to further discuss and strengthen the report and adopt it.

Polit Bureau member B V Raghavulu, who was also present throughout the duration of the conference, made his intervention on the last day. While appreciating the multifarious efforts of intervention by the Party, he cautioned that these must always be grounded from the class perspective. Otherwise there is danger of our cadre being swayed by the non-class arguments and perspectives.

Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury also greeted the conference on the last day. He called upon the cadre to restore the old glory of the Party in Telangana region drawing inspiration from the heroic Telangana armed struggle.

Central secretariat member V Srinivasa Rao and central committee members P Madhu, M A Gafoor, S Punyavati, P Ramaiah and others were present in the conference.

The conference unanimously passed a resolution demanding enactment of law for implementing reservations in the private sector. Placing the resolution, state committee member Mettu Srinivas explained how in the context of shrinking public sector due to neo-liberal economic policies it is imperative for ensuring reservations in private sector in the interest of social justice. Seconding the resolution, another state committee member John Wesley debunked the arguments of merit. The resolution called for launching a people's movement on this demand in the coming days. The conference also passed several other resolutions on burning issues facing the people.

The conference of elected a 60 member state committee on March 4. The state committee in its first meeting in the venue of the conference elected Thammineni Veerabhadram as its state secretary along with 12 secretariat members.

This was announced in the state conference by Polit Bureau member B V Raghavulu amidst huge applause from the delegates. The state secretariat members are: S Veeraiah, Ch Sitaramulu, G Nagaiah, Chukka Ramulu, Nandyala Narasimha Reddy, Sunnam Rajaiah, P Sudershan, T Jyoti, B Venkat, Julakanti Ranga Reddy, G Ramulu and D G Narasimha Rao.

A three member control commission comprising S Malla Reddy (chairman), K Rajaiah and Asha Lata as members has also been elected by the conference. Twenty seven delegates and three observers have also been unanimously elected by the conference for attending the 21st Party Congress in Vishakapatnam.

Hyderabad Turns into a Sea of Red

THE first state conference of Telangana CPI(M) state unit successfully concluded with a massive rally in Hyderabad on March 4. The venue of the public meeting Nizam College grounds overfilled with people so much so that by some accounts as many were outside the ground as those inside. The meeting was preceded by a vibrant march from Sundarayya Vignana Kendram, Bagh Lingampally that had tens of thousands of red shirt volunteers donning Chavez style caps leading from the front. Newly elected state secretary Thammineni Veerabhadram, Polit Bureau member B V Raghavulu, central secretariat member V Srinivasa Rao and others took part in the rally in an open-top jeep, enthusiastically waving to the crowds. The entire 3.5 km stretch was drenched in red with festoons, banners, flags and red shirt volunteers making the mix.

Addressing the massive gathering, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury expressed confidence that a new history will be created in the newly formed Telangana state whereby communists will regain their old glory in this region. The legacy of Telangana armed struggle will be carried forward by waging militant struggles on people’s issues and paving way for alternative policies. He said the people of Telangana have high hopes and aspirations following the formation of state but both the state and central governments are not taking any steps to meet those aspirations. At the time of division itself it was pointed out how the hasty steps of Congress-led government would result in future problems between the two states. That has been proved in reality with both states sparring over water, electricity, employees etc. The BJP which promised to correct the mistakes of Congress is simply not taking any steps in that direction. He called for greater struggles to highlight the problems of the people and bring pressure on the governments to address them.

Yechury attacked the Modi government for mortgaging the nation to corporates. He cited the union budget and the sops showered on the corporate sector even while heaping burdens on the common man. While the government tom toms the ‘Make in India’ programme, our industrial units are closing down throwing the workers on to the streets. Accompanying the economic loot is the phenomena of communal polarisation in the country fostered by Sangh parivar. He said Modi seems to have learnt authoritarianism from Indira Gandhi, neo-liberalism from P V Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh, and communalism from A B Vajpayee. He is implementing this mix in the past nine months of rule. Only the Left parties can build a genuine alternative in the country and called for their strengthening.

B V Raghavulu in his speech said that it is the Red flag that stands by the poor and pulls up the government for its failures. He said the people of Telangana desire people’s Telangana not landlord’s Telangana. He raised doubts about Telangana CM’s declaration of ushering in a ‘Golden Telangana’ by pointing out that those who talked of ushering in a “Green Andhra Pradesh’ actually ushered in the most corrupt Andhra Pradesh ever. However if KCR works sincerely to bring in Golden Telangana by meeting people’s aspirations, then the CPI(M) would stand by him. But if it tries to work for the interests of the rich, then it will be fought, he warned.

Thammineni Veerabhadram, who presided over the public meeting, warned the chief minister to decide on whose behalf he stands -- the people of the state or the despotic Nizam ruler. He drew attention to the fact the KCR was on one hand praising Nizam as a benevolent ruler who had vision about development while on the other he was paying tributes to Doddi Komaraiah who was  martyred in the fight against Nizam. How can one praise Nizam and Doddi Komaraiah in the same breath, questioned Thammineni and asked KCR to choose between the two. Referring to news reports about TRS joining NDA in the near future the CPI(M) leader asked him to come clean on the issue. The silence of TRS even as communal polarisation attempts of Sangh parivar are intensifying is a pointer to its thinking, he said. He debunked the justifications being offered for such an alliance -- central funds are crucial for development of Telangana -- and reminded that NTR and Jyoti Basu fought with the centre for funds and achieved. Similarly if TRS chose to fight, the CPI(M) would support it. He advised KCR to fulfill the promises made by TRS before elections as people are eagerly awaiting betterment of their lives. Otherwise he would have to face the wrath of people on whose side CPI(M) would vigorously fight.  He also announced that the CPI(M) would launch a people’s movement demanding enactment of law for implementation of reservations to SC/ST/OBCs in the private sector.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member M A Baby, who was present in the state conference for the entire duration, also participated in the public meeting. Telangana armed struggle veteran Mallu Swarajyam, central secretariat member V Srinivasa Rao, central committee members M A Gafoor, S Veeraiah and other state secretariat members also participated.