THE Eighth State Conference of Uttarakhand committee of CPI(M) was held at Karnaprayag from December 22-24, 2024. The conference began with an impressive rally and a well-attended public meeting. In total, 22 members of the state committee, 142 delegates and 13 observers attended the conference which also included 23 women delegates. State secretaries of CPI and CPI(ML) greeted the conference. 

On behalf of the Central Committee of the Party, Polit Bureau member Tapan Sen and Central Committee member Vijoo Krishnan attended the conference. Rajendra Singh Negi, state secretary, placed the report which was followed by group discussions.  27 delegates took part in the discussions on the report. The level of discussion showed a marked improvement over the last conference. The corporate-communal onslaught and the loot of resources was stressed upon. The divisive Hindutva agenda vitiating the peaceful atmosphere of the state targeting Muslims and serious concern on state emerging as a laboratory of Hindutva hate agenda was reflected in the deliberations by most of the speakers. The move to polarise using issues like Uniform Civil Code was also raised. Aggressive moves by the government to change the land-use in the name of development both in the hills and the plains and consequent dislodging of people coupled with the predatory role of the land-mafias was a major concern reflected in the discussion. Increasing urbanisation and threat of eviction of the poor settlers in Dehradun as well as conversion of farm land is a serious concern. Livelihood issues, poverty, unemployment, rampant migration from the hills, attacks on women, minorities and dalits were discussed. 

A sizeable number of delegates emphasised the concern that despite intervening on all issues, it did not reflect in terms of membership in the class and mass fronts. It was noted that drawing new contacts into the movement and building Party was not taken up to the desired extent. Only 64 new members have been enrolled after the last Party Conference. The exception has been in the railway construction projects where many young workers have been drawn into the trade union front and Party members could also be enrolled from among them. The TU front alone saw an increase in membership. 

The state of the kisan front from which a sizeable section of Party members come was cause for concern as there was a steady decline in its membership in the last three years. The functioning of different fractions has been dismal. Student Front has shown improvement in activity but no substantial advance in membership. There has been also a drastic decline on the women’s front. Youth front has become totally inactive which is a cause for grave concern. Party classes for kisan front were held for the first time after the formation of the state. Student front and women’s front also had held classes. A functioning state office and improved coordination in the Party centre was noted. Regular wages for 13 whole-timers across fronts could also be ensured for the first time including pension for one comrade (Party centre and women’s front provide for three of them). 

The conference unanimously elected a 25-member state committee and a 9-member state secretariat in a mix of experience and youth. Three senior members have been included as special invitees. Rajendra Purohit was unanimously elected as the state secretary. The conference has decided on important tasks which include: strengthening state centre; Party education; increase Lok Lehar subscriptions to 1500; fund collection of Rs 6 lakhs for whole-timer wages;

expansion of mass fronts in priority districts in a time-bound manner; increase the frequency of fraction meetings; ensure proper collection of levy as stipulated by the Party; enlisting AG members and drawing them into the Party and providing political education; to increase Party membership to 2,000 in the next three years.