Below we publish the text of the greetings extended by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) to the 24th Congress of the Communist Party of India held at Vijayawada. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury attended the inaugural session on October 15, and delivered the message of greetings. 

COMRADES of the presidium, Comrade D Raja, general secretary, chairman of the reception committee, comrades from fraternal communist and workers parties, comrade delegates, observers, guests, dignitaries and friends, on behalf of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), I convey our warm fraternal greetings to the 24th Congress of the Communist Party of India.

I sincerely thank you for inviting me to join this inaugural session. I greet the leaders of other Left parties and reinforce the mutual desire for strengthening Left unity to meet the very grave challenges that our country and the people face today.

Dear comrades and friends,

You are gathered here in Vijayawada, the political centre of the state of Andhra Pradesh.  This city has been the centre of revolutionary activities of the communists for many decades and continues to be so even today.

You are meeting in this political centre that saw the launch of one of the most significant peoples struggles of our country – the armed struggle of the peasantry against brutal feudal oppression. This armed struggle ensured the liberation of around 30 lakh peasants for 18 months; distributing over 10 lakh acres in 3,000 villages covering an area of 16,000 square miles. This armed struggle along with many other peasant uprisings led by the communists including Tebhagha in Bengal, Punnapra-Vayalar in Kerala, Warli in Maharashtra, Surma valley in Assam etc., brought the agenda of land reforms and the abolition of zamindari to the centre stage.

The communist movement and the people’s struggles led by the Communist Party have deep roots in this area. I am confident that the holding of this Congress here will further consolidate the communist influence and work for strengthening the unity and solidarity amongst the Left forces.

Comrades and friends,

This 24th Congress of the CPI is being held at a time when independent India and our people are facing the gravest of challenges and an all-round crisis.

Controlling the reins of State power, this BJP government is aggressively pursuing the Hindutva communal agenda of the fascistic RSS. Rabid communal polarisation, venal campaigns of poisonous hate and violence targeting religious minorities, particularly the Muslims, is accompanied by a serious assault undermining the constitution of India and seeking to transform the secular democratic character of the Indian republic into the RSS project of a rabidly intolerant fascistic Hindutva Rashtra.

Simultaneously, this BJP government has mounted a multi-pronged attack of the rabid pursuit of neo-liberal reforms strengthening the communal-corporate nexus, looting national assets, promoting crony capitalism, legalising political corruption and imposing full-fledged authoritarianism assaulting the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people.

Comrades and friends,

Systematic efforts are on to change the character of the Indian republic. The four fundamental pillars of the Indian Constitution – secular democracy, federalism, social justice and economic sovereignty – are being assaulted.

Neo-liberal economic reforms gained feverish momentum. The destruction of India’s economic sovereignty is happening in a multi-dimensional manner going beyond the usual privatisation and tax concessions for the corporates.

The secular principles as enshrined in our constitution are under severe assault. This signals the growing reality that the Modi government is moving India towards a Hindutva State.

BJP state governments have been enacting laws aimed at sharpening communal polarisation. These laws are routinely used to target innocent people from the minority communities and to physically attack them or legally prosecute them.

The UAPA/Sedition/NSA are indiscriminately used to detain hundreds of people. These draconian provisions are invoked not only against the minorities who are specifically targeted but also against journalists and others who disagree or express dissent against the government. Dissent is treated as being anti-national.

These years saw relentless all-round attacks on federalism in all spheres – educational, political, fiscal, social and cultural.

The role of governors and Lt. governors transgresses all constitutional proprieties. They function as an extension of the BJP’s political agenda in opposition ruled states.

Instead of moving toward the constitutional guarantee of equality, and realising the objective of social justice, the socially oppressed sections of people are subjected to greater injustices and discrimination.

Comrades and friends,

Alongside, all independent constitutional authorities – parliament, judiciary, Election Commission etc., are being undermined.

The CBI and particularly the ED are increasingly functioning as the political arms of the ruling party targeting opposition leaders.

The corporate control of the media is ensuring the controlled flow of doctored news and information.

The Hindutva communal ideology being unscientific and ahistorical assaults both rationality and reason. The spread of obscurantism, superstition and blind faith helps the easier assimilation of Hindu mythology which can increasingly then be passed off as real history. This assaults scientific temper and rationality.

Comrades and friends,

The Modi government has abandoned India’s time tested independent foreign policy. India has now been reduced to a subordinate ally of US imperialism in all global matters.  

India has cemented strategic ties with Israel and diluted our traditional historical support and solidarity with the Palestinian cause and struggles. The US-Israel-India nexus is consolidated.

India further cemented strategic and military ties with the USA. The Quadrilateral Alliance (QUAD) of USA, Japan, Australia and India has become an active strategic and military alliance in the Indo-Pacific region aiming to isolate China.

Comrades and friends,

Notwithstanding the propaganda blitz unleashed by the government the economy is in a tailspin plunging downwards. On top of the miseries imposed by the gross mishandling of the Covid pandemic, severe assaults on people’s livelihood are increasing. Unemployment has recorded the highest levels, runaway inflation is pushing millions into poverty and hunger.

People’s resistance against the onslaughts on the Indian Constitution, growing authoritarianism and against the assaults on livelihood are intensifying.  

The anti-CAA upsurge saw big mobilisations especially of women and youth.

The yearlong historic kisan struggle forced the obdurate Modi government to repeal the retrograde agri laws.

The central trade unions organised annual successful all India strike actions against privatisation, abrogation of labour laws and demanding the abolition of labour codes, latest on March 28-29, 2022.

The increased coordination and united calls for struggles jointly by the workers, farmers and agricultural labourers saw huge mobilisations in recent years.

Increasing strength of the unity of the Left forces is vital to further intensify people’s struggles.

On this basis, the unity of the Left and democratic forces must be forged with an alternative policy direction.

At the same time, the broadest mobilisation of secular forces must be ensured to isolate and defeat Hindutva communal onslaughts.

The LDF government in Kerala has through its alternative pro-people policies earned the goodwill of the people to be elected to form an unprecedented consecutive government in Kerala. Its achievements enabled Kerala to register the highest ranking in human development indices in the country. The RSS and the central government are leaving no stone unturned to destabilise the LDF government. Together the Left forces must thwart these efforts.

CPI(M) believes that by undertaking all these tasks simultaneously the Left parties and forces will rally the Indian people in defense of democracy; improving peoples livelihoods; safeguarding the secular democratic character of India and moving forward towards creating a better India for our people.

I wish the 24th Congress of the CPI all success in its deliberations.

Oust this RSS/BJP Government.

Strengthen and consolidate Left unity.

Forge unity of Left and democratic forces in struggles for policy alternatives.

For the broadest mobilisation of secular forces against Hindutva communalism.

Long live Marxism Leninism.