Telangana: Left Parties Protest against Price Rise

FOLLOWING the all India call of the Left parties, protests were held across Telangana by ten Left parties in the state from May 25-31, against the rise in prices of petrol, diesel, cooking gas and other essential commodities. On May 27, dharnas and protest rallies were conducted at mandal headquarters and on May 30, dharnas were held at district collectorates. On the concluding day of the campaign on May 31, the Left parties organised a dharna in Hyderabad.

Addressing the dharna, CPI(M) state secretariat member S Veeraiah expressed concern that there has been a constant price rise of essential commodities ranging from vegetables to gas and other items in the eight-year rule of the Modi government. The real reasons behind the rise of petroleum products, which has had a cascading effect on the prices of all other essential products, have been covered up by the false propaganda of the BJP led central government. The excise duties imposed by the central government are the crucial factors in the price rise of petroleum products. Veeraiah also said the Modi government has legalized corruption. The central government is giving subsidies to big corporates in a bold and shameless manner. The fight against the government policies will have to be intensified, he added. 

CPI all India secretary K Narayana said the Modi government has speeded up the sale of public sector companies including the profit making undertakings like the LIC, BSNL and is looting the hard earned money of the public  and filling up the pockets of the corporates.
State secretaries of CPI(ML) Praja Pandha, CPI(ML) ND, SUCI and other leaders of CPI(M), CPI, Forward Block, CPI(ML) Liberation, RSP participated and spoke in the demonstration.

Maha: Protest s against Price Rise, Unemployment

Uday Narkar

THE people of Maharashtra took one more step while responding in good numbers to the Left Parties’ call for nationwide protests during May 25-31 against the unprecedented hikes in prices of all commodities and the excruciating rise in unemployment.  The Maharashtra state committee of the CPI(M) had earlier in April given a protest call to boycott for one hour the purchase of fuel. 

The participation during the May 25-31 protests was wider and angrier all across the state from metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Solapur, Aurangabad and Nagpur to the smallest hamlets in the remote adivasi belt, beating scorching heat. Thousands of people, especially women, vented their anger at the anti-people policies of the Modi government which have pushed the common people into great misery. Several places in over 25 districts saw people pouring on to the streets in large numbers.

These protest actions included huge demonstrations, processions and dharnas at the government administrative offices from collectorates to tehsils. The campaign began with branch level meetings to mobilise people followed by distribution of pamphlets and fliers in the areas under them.

The CPI(M) took the lead in calling for an online state level meeting of the Left Parties in which the secretaries and main office bearers of the CPI, Peasants and Workers’ Party (PWP), Lal Nishan Party (LNP) and CPI (ML)-Liberation participated.

At various places the JD(S), factions of the Republican Party,  smaller secular, socialist and progressive groups too joined the struggle. Responding to the call to join the action given by the state unit of the Samyukta Shetkari Kamgar Morcha (SSKM) and a broad platform, Jan Andolananchi Sangharsh Samiti (JASS), the Left, democratic parties and mass movements also joined, deepening and widening the struggle.

Gujarat: Protests against Price Rise

AS per the call given by the Left parties to hold demonstrations/ dharnas against price rise between May 25-30, protests were held in Gujarat successfully. Except in Ahmedabad district, the protests were organised by the CPI(M) alone in other places . Local print media and TV channels gave a good coverage of the programme.

In Ahmedabad, the protest was organised on May 28 at Sardar Baug. CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) and Socialist Party leaders took part in the programme.

In Bhavnagar, the protest demonstration was organised at Ghogha Gate, on May 28. CPI(M) district secretary, Ashok Sompura and Central Committee member Arun Mehta led the protest here.

In Sabarkantha, the demonstration was held at Himantnagar. After two hours of slogan shouting, the Party delegation met the district collector and handed over a memorandum against price rise, unemployment and on other local issues related to common people.

In Arvalli, the protest was organised at Modasa, the district headquarters. A rally was organised from CPI(M) Party office to the centre of the town. The police arrested Dahyabhai Jadav, Party district secretary and others.

Protests were also held in Junagadh, Rajkot, Surat, Dahod Mahisagar and Valsad.