IN a first of its kind, more than hundred mass organisations in West Bengal have formed a common platform to fight on burning issues of the people. Trade Unions, peasant organisations, teachers’ organisations, student-youth-women organisations and representative organisations of all sections of people have joined in this platform, which has been named ‘Bengal Platform of Mass Organisations” (BPMO). This platform will organise a mass convention on September  28 to finalise the schedule of movements. The convention will not be held in any auditorium, rather on Rani Rashmoni Avenue, where thousands will join. The constituent organisations will explain their issues in the convention.

Earlier, a national platform of 56 mass organisations conducted campaigns and movements. In the state too, 26 organisations were organised. But the scale is much wider this time. These organisations have come together to fight back onslaught on people on all fronts. Initially, 15 broad issues have been identified. Those include restoration of democracy, lack of employment, minimum wages, ensuring food security for all, transparency in employment process, attack on women, an end to anarchy in education, reduction of electricity charges, giving back money to chit fund sufferers etc. After the convention, the BPMO will take up these issues and launch intensive campaign. In November, there will be jathas in all 72 thousand booth areas in the state.

Briefing media on the formation of this platform, CITU state president Shyamal Chakraborty said that civil society organisations would also be requested to join this platform. The ongoing struggle in the state against authoritarian TMC rule will be reinforced by united movement of the mass organisations.