THE 18th State Conference of the Himachal state committee of the CPI(M) was held in Shimla from November 28-30, 2024. The conference began with a protest rally that focused on critical issues, including rising inflation, unemployment, and the unfulfilled promises of the central and state governments.

The main speakers at the rally included Polit Bureau members Tapan Sen, Vijayaraghavan, and Subhashini Ali, along with CPI(M) state committee members Rakesh Singha, Kushal Bhardwaj, and Vijender Mehra. All the speakers strongly condemned both the central BJP-led NDA government and the state Congress government for issues such as rising unemployment, poverty, hunger, inflation, illiteracy, inadequate health facilities, increased exploitation of workers, the agricultural crisis, widening wealth inequality, and the rising attacks on women and children in the state.

Subhashini Ali criticised the government's silence on the lawsuit against Adani in the US. She condemned BJP's communal policies that aim to divide people, and highlighted the rising violence against women in Himachal. She said that promoting a nation based on religion is a betrayal, as India is a diverse country with various castes and religions. Subhashini Ali emphasized that protecting the Constitution is a crucial responsibility. She expressed concern over worsening conditions in the state, particularly for women and young girls, due to policies exacerbating inflation and unemployment. She accused the state government of yielding to central government’s pressure and neglecting education and healthcare. She said the CPI(M) would intensify its movement to mobilise people across Himachal Pradesh and also nationwide against privatisation and rising injustices.

DELEGATE SESSION

After the rally, the delegate session of the state conference started with the hoisting of the flag, followed by floral tributes at the martyrs’ column. The conference hall was named after Sitaram Yechury, while the stage was named in honour of Dr MS Duttal. The conference was attended by Polit Bureau members Tapan Sen, Vijayaraghavan and Subhashini Ali, and Central Committee member Vikram Singh. Vijayaraghavan inaugurated the conference. He criticised the neoliberal policies and communalism of the BJP-led central government, emphasizing the need to combat both these issues simultaneously. He highlighted the importance of strengthening the Party's presence in Himachal Pradesh to effectively address these challenges. He emphasized that the Party's growth would come through mobilising and organising militant struggles of workers, peasants, and other sections of society. This, he stated, is the only method and tool for transforming CPI(M) into a pan-Himachal force. Strengthening the organisation is crucial to achieving these objectives.

STATE REPORT

The state report was presented by state secretary Onkar Shad, highlighting key issues. The report pointed out that the Congress-led state government, after defeating the BJP in 2022, is nearing the completion of two years in power. However, this government is continuing to implement policies within the neoliberal framework. Unemployment, poverty, and the crises in agriculture and horticulture are growing, with the economic burden on peasants increasing due to the withdrawal of government support. Young people are facing frustration, leading to a rise in suicides and drug addiction. Farmers are in distress, burdened with debt due to distress sales of their produce.

In India, alongside the implementation of neoliberal policies, elements of authoritarianism have been rising, creating an atmosphere of fear and repression. This is done to ensure that the public remains silenced and unable to protest against the anti-people policies of the BJP and the broader neoliberal agenda. The aim is to stifle dissent and prevent any opposition to the government's direction.

The report pointed out that the central government's National Education Policy promotes corporatisation, communalisation, and centralisation of education and is likely to increase illiteracy, particularly among the poor, as they will be unable to afford the rising costs of education. Additionally, other essential services are also being privatised and outsourced, further escalating their costs. The report emphasized that the most critical political task is to oppose the neoliberal policies of the state Congress. It calls for the organisation of strong, militant, and broad-based class and mass struggles in the state. Without such struggles, the Party cannot progress. Local issues must be identified, and continuous struggles must be waged until the demands are met. Thus, the Party must engage in a two-pronged struggle against both the BJP and the Congress in the state.

STRUGGLE AGAINST COMMUNALISM

The BJP, RSS, and their affiliated organisations are contributing to the communalisation of the state, undermining the peace and harmony that once prevailed. A campaign of hate and violence is being systematically fuelled, leading to widespread unrest and division. In particular, mosques are being deliberately targeted, further intensifying the disruption of communal harmony.

CPI(M) acted promptly, organising the Shimla Peace and Harmony March, which later led to the formation of the ‘Himachal for Peace and Harmony’ platform to fight the communal agenda of the BJP and RSS. Efforts will focus on promoting unity and social harmony, which has garnered growing confidence and support among minority communities.

Report indicated that the state is facing a severe financial crisis and debt has surged from Rs 5,000 crores in 1997 to Rs 90,000 crores today, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 42.30 per cent in 2023-24, the second-highest in India after Punjab and nearly double the national average. This debt burden is draining resources needed for development, forcing the government to take new loans for salary, pension, and interest payments. The state's debt-to-GDP ratio for 2024-25 is projected at 42.5 per cent.

The report underlined that the state could generate thousands of crores from forest resources, making it crucial to provide economic relief in return. Hydropower projects established by the central and other state governments before 1990 should receive a 12 per cent royalty, similar to that of post-1990 projects. Additionally, under the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966, Himachal Pradesh is entitled to a 7.19 per cent share. Establishing agriculture and horticulture-based processing industries is vital, while the state’s favourable climate and off-season production present valuable opportunities. Promoting off-season vegetable farming and positioning the state as a hub for education and pharmaceuticals could significantly boost the economy.

A total of 36 delegates took part in the discussion, enriching and strengthening the report. The delegates unanimously emphasized the importance of social media in advancing the struggle. They noted that in today's era, struggles are not only fought in the streets but also in people's minds. These struggles can be further strengthened by adopting an effective social media strategy.

Following the responses, the report was unanimously adopted, along with the adoption of 11 resolutions. Lastly, a new 30-member state committee was elected, along with two permanent invitees. Sanjay Chauhan was elected as the secretary of the state committee.

Tapan Sen expressed that the conference provided a platform for fruitful discussions, where delegates shared valuable experiences and insights aimed at strengthening the Party organisation. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a unified approach to achieve the goal of a people's democratic revolution, which can only be realised by overcoming and marginalising the forces opposed to it. He highlighted that the Party represents workers, agricultural workers, farmers, and those who directly confront the capitalist system. While the ruling classes possess all the instruments of oppression, the Party draws its strength from the power of its organisation. The conference, he noted, is a crucial step in refining both our political and organisational strategies and moving forward.

In the evenings of both days at the state party conference, vibrant and diverse cultural events were organised by progressive cultural groups. These events not only entertained the delegates but also inspired them to engage more passionately in the struggle. They underlined the significant role of cultural expressions in mobilising the people and holding agitations.

Newly elected state secretary Sanjay Chauhan addressed the conference, stating that the Party will lead future mass movements on public issues and offer a better alternative to Congress and BJP. He criticised both the central and state Congress governments for implementing anti-people neoliberal policies, which are widening the gap between the rich and poor. Chauhan accused the BJP of weakening workers' rights and exacerbating unemployment and exploitation. He also condemned Congress for implementing Modi's policies, like smart meters, which will financially burden the public. With delayed job exam results and attempts to disrupt communal harmony, both parties have been exposed, leaving CPI(M) as the only viable alternative.

The conference concluded with the following key tasks:

-         Fight and oppose the BJP's central government and the Congress party's neoliberal policies.

-         Strengthen CPI(M) by developing militant class, mass, and local struggles, enhancing Left unity, and developing alternative policies for Himachal Pradesh.

-         Counter the BJP and RSS's communal agenda in Himachal Pradesh by building the broad platform, ‘Himachal for Peace and Harmony’, uniting all secular and democratic forces, including the Congress party and its state government.