Below we publish the greetings of the CPI(M) to the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Brazil – PCdoB. G Ramakrishnan, Polit Bureau member of the CPI(M) has attended this Congress which was held from November 17-19, 2017 at Brasilia.

DEAR Comrades,

Communist Party of India (Marxist)  greets the 14^th National Congress of the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB). It is a great honour for us to participate in your Party Congress. We are confident that this Congress will further strengthen the Party.

Comrades,

Few days back, all of us had observed the centenary of the Great October Socialist Revolution – the epochal and path-breaking event that had its influence on the world events ever since. For the first time in human history, it was decisively proven that a world free of exploitation can be established, validating the theory of Marxism. Lenin’s analysis of imperialism as the highest and moribund stage of capitalism, still remains valid. After the collapse of Soviet Union and the setbacks received to socialism, the correlation of class forces changed with imperialism gaining the upper hand.

We are today staring at a world where imperialism is intervening in all regions around the globe and even inciting regional wars. Here in Latin America, the US is encouraging the oligarchical forces to destabilise the region by inciting violence. In West Asia/North Africa it is continuing with its military interventions, bombing innocent citizens in order to control the region and exploit its rich natural resources. It also has its eye on the Asia-Pacific region with the US moving its warships into the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula. Along with imposing economic burdens on people, imperialism considers war and military interventions as other options to come out of the current deep rooted global economic crisis, a reflection of the crisis ridden capitalist system that is now almost a decade old.

The present imperialist offensive, of course does not mean that socialism no longer remains the alternative and this is the ‘end of history’. Developments around the world are proving that people are once again coming out in large numbers protesting the capitalist offensive, in spite of all the efforts by the ruling classes to stifle dissent. The ruling classes are trying their best to divide the unity of the working class and other toiling sections of the people by fostering divisions among them in the name of race, ethnicity, religion, region, etc. In certain countries, right-wing forces are rearing their heads and advancing. We should understand the class basis of these developments and counter them by building class unity against all sorts of exploitation. It is upon us, Communists, to channelise the popular discontent in the correct direction of class struggle.

Comrades,

As you all are aware, our country is now governed by a right-wing government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Indian economy is increasingly opened for the exploitation of foreign capital. Indian government is unabashedly pursuing neoliberal economic policies. Widening inequalities, unemployment, crony capitalism and corruption are the disastrous results of these economic policies.

Abandoning India’s nonaligned foreign policy, the government is moving towards a strategic alliance with the US. The recent meetings of the ‘quad’ (India, US, Japan and Australia) in Manila, with the explicit purpose of containing China, Indian government’s decision to tone down its criticism of the US’ withdrawal from the Paris Climate Change Accord, are all examples of this strategic shift.

The working class of our country have, only a week ago, organised a massive three-day sit-in demonstration before the Indian parliament. Hundreds of thousands of workers from all sectors of the economy participated in this protest demonstration, where it was decided to further intensify the struggle. Similarly, peasants too are coming out in protests against the forcible acquisition of their lands and the agrarian crisis. The ruling right-wing party is trying to break the unity of the people by inciting religious strife, national chauvinism and casteist violence. Attempts are on to restrict democratic rights. Increasing authoritarian trends are visible in the country.

The CPI(M) is trying to bring together all the Left and democratic forces in the country to build a Left democratic alternative to counter the ruling class offensive. Trade unions, peasant organisations and various other mass organisations are joining forces to organise resistance. Efforts are on to coordinate all such protests and build a true democratic, peoples’ alternative. The 22nd Congress of the CPI(M), scheduled in April 2018, will review our efforts of building a Left Democratic Alternative, which is a class alternative and not an electoral alternative.

The CPI(M) is leading Left democratic governments in two provinces in the country – Kerala and Tripura. We are trying to provide relief to the people to whatever extent possible within the confines of the capitalist system. The ruling classes have intensified their attacks on these governments and the Party, to strangle the spread of alternative narrative that we are offering through these governments.

Comrades,

We are watching with interest the developments in Brazil, where the government led by PT was ousted from office in an imperialist backed institutional coup. We are awaiting with interest to learn about the conclusions you arrive at in this Congress, where we are sure, you will review your experiences, both when in government and now leading the struggles against the right-wing take-over.

Comrades,

Once again, we wish the 14th Congress of the PCdoB all success and thank the leadership for inviting us to be part of this historic Congress. We assure you of our wholehearted solidarity with all your struggles for the cause of working class and other toiling sections of the society and – for socialism.

Central Committee

Communist Party of India (Marxist)