IN the face of attacks unleashed by the Modi government, the CPl(M) and the Left champions the rights of the tribal masses, said CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat in the one day special organisational convention of the GMP held in Agartala. The convention attended by more than 1000 delegates from all over the state was also addressed by CPI(M) Tripura state secretary Bijan Dhar and CPI(M) Central Committee member and GMP vice president Aghor Debbarma. The convention adopted a 5 point campaign and movement programme on pressing needs of the tribal masses in particular and of the people of the state in general. Addressing the delegates, Brinda Karat said, with Modi government assuming office the distress of the tribal masses across the country has increased. With the mine and minerals act, the land acquisition ordinance, the attempts to subvert MNREGA, FRA and heavy cut down in the budget allocation for TSP, the Modi government is working against the tribal masses and women. The capitalist path of development and the constitutional safeguards for the weaker sections are contradictory to each other. That is why, between 1987-88 and 2010-11 the percentage of landless among tribals has gone up from 18 percent to 38 percent. The lands belonging to tribal people in the 5th Schedule areas are being forcibly acquired. The allocations under Tribal Sub Plan is a mere Rs 21,000 crores compared to 40,000 crores which should have been allocated as per their population ratio. This government talks of skill development and mocks the tribal youth by slashing funds for tribal development. Brinda Karat said, Modi should learn lessons from the history of tribal rebellions in India. In Tripura, despite all limitations, the Left Front government is working for the people including the tribal masses, wherever we have some strength the CPl(M) and the Left champions the rights of the tribal masses, she said. The national convention on August 5 in New Delhi will chalk out new movements to counter the offensive of the central government. Addressing the convention CPI(M) Tripura state secretary Bijan Dhar said, we must always proudly remember the great revolutionary legacy of comrades Dasharath Deb, Sudhanwa Debbarma, Hemanta Debbarma who started the Janasiksha movement, shaped and steered Left and democratic movement of the state towards formation of the Left Front government in the state on the basis of strong tribal, non-tribal unity. It is important to tell the younger generation about this great legacy of struggles. The organisation of GMP must be further strengthened, ideologically sharpened, the youth must be included in the leadership. There should be no comprise on honesty and transparency, all the weeds should be cleansed, he said. GMP vice president and CPI(M) Central Committee member Aghor Debbarma said despite all limitations, the Left Front government is trying to develop the livelihood conditions of the people. The centre is not giving us a single rupee, but we are trying to economically rehabilitate the 1.20 lakh families who have been given pattas under the FRA.The central government has provided only Rs 8 crores this year for stipend to the tribal students compared to Rs 23 crores last year. We have to go to the people and tell them about the problems and organise struggle. Our electoral success must not make us complacent, rather we have to consolidate the success and forge closer ties with the people. We must take care so that the younger generations who have no experience of the dark days prior to 1978 are not misled by the divisive forces like the RSS, BJP or IPFT and INPT. GMP general secretary Niranjan Debbarma placed the organisational report. The 5 point campaign and movement programme adopted by the convention included protest programme on July 31 against anti-tribal attitude of the Modi government, celebrating international tribal rights day on August 9, membership campaign from August 21-28 with a target of enrolment of 2.30 lakh families into the fold of the organisation, starting the primary and local conferences from September, conducting campaign in support of the general strike called by the 11 central trade unions on September 2 and conducting a massive political and ideological campaign against the divisive politics of IPFT and INPT.