THE 8th Jharkhand State Conference of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) was held from January 9 to 11, 2025, in Ranchi's Namkum suburb. The conference called for building a better Jharkhand and it aimed to strengthen grassroots movements and build an independent and strong organisational base for the Party in the state.

The venue was named after Comrade Sitaram Yechury, while the auditorium was named after Buddhadeb Bhattacharya. The stage was named after Subhash Munda, a martyr from Ranchi. A 115-member reception committee, led by writer and former IAS officer Ranendra, oversaw preparations. The committee included representatives from trade unions, cultural organisations, youth, students, and women's groups. The hospitality was jointly managed by the Ranchi East and Ranchi West district committees.

The conference began with a vibrant rally from Namkum market to the conference venue, followed by the hoisting of the Party flag by former state secretary Gopikant Bakshi. A traditional tribal dance was performed under the direction of Dr Kriti Munda, and homage was paid to the martyrs' memorial. Ranendra emphasized the role of Left parties in combating communal fascism and corporate exploitation. Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat lauded the people of Jharkhand for defeating BJP in the recent elections and urged vigilance against RSS-BJP’s divisive strategies.

DELEGATE SESSION

A six-member presidium conducted the proceedings. Ramchandra Dom, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member  inaugurating the delegate session, emphasised the need for grassroots movements and sharp struggles to develop the Party’s independent strength. State secretary Prakash Viplav presented the political and organisational report, reviewing the Party's activities over the past three years.

The report highlighted the following:

1.  BJP’s defeat in the 2024 Assembly elections and the formation of a secular government led by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).

2.  Persistent issues in the state, such as unemployment, displacement, lack of a clear planning policy, and inadequate public education and healthcare.

3.  The growing poverty in a resource-rich state, exacerbated by central government policies allowing corporate exploitation of coal blocks.

4.  The report also criticised the state's failure to implement its industrial and employment policies and highlighted increasing law-and-order issues.

DISCUSSIONS

Delegates from 21 districts participated in discussions, with 52 representatives contributing to an 8.5 hour discussions. The conference passed 16 resolutions addressing key state issues, such as tribal rights, displacement, unemployment, and corruption. A special focus was on protecting Jharkhand’s natural resources under the slogan of "Jal, Jungle, Zameen" (water, forest, land).

Descendants of tribal leader Birsa Munda were honoured at the conference, symbolising the Party's commitment to tribal rights. Discussions emphasized building an alternative Left-democratic front in the state and enhancing the Party’s independent strength.

242 delegates attended the conference, including 236 men and 34 women. Delegates came from diverse social and economic backgrounds. Education summary of delegates includes primary (59), matric (64), intermediate (48), graduate (69), postgraduate (30). Occupation summary of delegates includes workers (72), agricultural workers (20), poor farmers (106), middle farmers (27), and others.

The conference elected a 35-member state committee with four women and re-elected Prakash Viplav as state secretary.

Addressing the concluding session of the conference, Brinda Karat emphasized implementing the organisational goals set during the Kolkata Plenum and urged efforts to strengthen the Party’s independent influence in Jharkhand. The conference concluded with a vote of thanks, followed by a rendition of the Communist International anthem.

This conference underscored CPI(M)’s commitment to grassroots struggles and implement the roadmap for addressing the state’s socio-economic challenges through Left-democratic unity.