GREETINGS TO CP VIETNAM, 11TH CONGRESS

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) sent the following message of greetings to the 11th congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam being held from January 12-19, 2010. N S Arjun from People’s Democracy is covering the congress. A report on it would appear next week.

ON behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) we convey our warm fraternal greetings to the 11th ^congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. We believe that the 11th congress of the CPV will be a significant milestone in the history of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The Communist Party of Vietnam is a proud inheritor of the anti-imperialist legacy. Founded by Comrade Ho Chih Minh during the anti-imperialist struggle, it is carrying forward those revolutionary traditions. The heroic role played by the party in mobilising the people of Vietnam against the imperialist aggression of the US and for the reunification of the country, standing firm to the ideals of socialism, will remain forever a source of inspiration. The people of Vietnam, led by the Communist Party of Vietnam, overcame many a hardship and achieved tremendous successes.

The CPI(M) is confident that with the support of the people of Vietnam, the Communist Party would lead the country to all round rapid development and turn Vietnam into a prosperous socialist country. We are also confident that the party would further consolidate the gains of socialism and realise its goals of ‘rich people, a strong country and a just, democratic and civilized society.’

Comrades,

Your congress is taking place in the midst of a severe global economic crisis, which has once again exposed the severe limitations of the capitalist system. People of many countries have come out on to the streets protesting against the ‘austerity’ measures introduced by their respective ruling classes --- an effort to shift the burden of the crisis onto the shoulders of the working class and toiling people. The ruling classes are trying to come out of the crisis by using all the means at their disposal --- political, economic and even military. They are indirectly encouraging the growth of right wing parties and groups with a divisive agenda. On the other hand, they are targeting the communist parties across the world. This is true for our country too.

In India, as you are aware, the Left including the CPI(M) suffered a setback in the last general elections to the parliament. The ruling classes in our country are trying their best to isolate our party and have launched a multi-pronged all out attack. In West Bengal, one of the strongest bastions for our party in the country, there is a broad ranging coalition forged by all political forces from the extreme right to the extreme left, including the armed ultra leftists and some NGOs. More than 320 of our comrades have lost their lives since last year in this province alone, most of them killed by the ultra leftists who were emboldened by this broad alliance. It is to be noted that West Bengal along with Kerala, two provinces governed by the CPI(M) led coalition, would be going for elections in the coming six months. Our entire organisational machinery is thick in the fight, not only resisting all these efforts intended to isolate our party but also gearing up to ensure the victory of Left and democratic forces in these elections.

The union government of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, buoyed by the fact that it no longer depends on the Left for its survival, is implementing the very same neo-liberal policies that, in the first place, had led to the global economic crisis. Large scale scams involving thousands of millions, an offshoot of crony capitalism, are coming to light everyday. The government is desperate to forge a strategic relationship with the United States and is slowly shifting from its cherished non-aligned foreign policy. We are in the midst of struggles, taking up the issues of the various sections of the society who are reeling under the attacks of the neo-liberal policies pursued by the government.

Dear Comrades,

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) cherishes its warm fraternal ties with the Communist Party of Vietnam. A whole generation of youngsters had joined our party, inspired by your heroic resistance against imperialism during the Vietnam war and the solidarity campaigns organised in our country. India reverberated with the slogan ‘Amar naam, tomar naam, Vietnam, Vietnam (My name is Vietnam, your name is Vietnam!). We are confident that this mutual trust and bonds of friendship will get further strengthened in the days ahead.

The Central Committee of the CPI(M) is fully confident that the 11th congress of the CPV would come out with a correct strategy to lead the people of Vietnam during these difficult times. We are confident that the CPV, guided by the principles of Marxism-Leninism and the ideals of Ho Chi Minh, would lead the march for the consolidation of socialism.

Once again, we wish the 11th congress of the CPV all success.

Long live Marxism-Leninism!

Long live Socialism!

Courtesy: www.pd.cpim.org/

BRINDA KARAT: ‘FORMULATE SCHEME FOR IMAMS’ SALARIES’

Ms Brinda Karat, member of parliament and member of the CPI (M) Polit Bureau wrote the following letter to the union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on January 2, requesting him to formulate a scheme with regard to the Imams’ salary with the Central Waqf Council as enjoined by the apex court, so that it could be included in the budgetary allocations for the coming year. Text of the letter follows.

I WRITE to draw your attention to the assurance given by you in the Lok Sabha regarding implementation of the Supreme Court judgement on the Imams’ salaries. You will recall that on August 21, 2010 the matter was raised during zero hour in the Lok Sabha. In response, you had said, “The order of the Supreme Court is quite clear and the government will take note of the order, direction of the Supreme Court. The government is fully aware of it and it will take appropriate action.”

The all-India organisation of Imams has been eagerly awaiting “appropriate action” from the government which unfortunately has not been taken. In view of the forthcoming budget 2011-12, it would be most appropriate if the central government would urgently formulate the scheme with the Central Waqf Council as enjoined by the apex court so that the scheme could be included in the budgetary allocations for the coming year.

Knowing your commitment to implement assurances made on the floor of the house, I request you to take urgent action in the matter.

Courtesy: www.pd.cpim.org/

FEDERAL SYSTEM IN INDIA UNDER ATTACK OF P. CHIDAMBRAM FOR NARROW PARTISAN INTERESTS

D.O. No. 119-CM

December 28, 2010

Dear Shri Chidambram,

Kindly refer to your secret letter dated 21/22 December, 2010 which had been published in the media before it reached my office on 27.12.2010 at 11 A.M.

Your assessment of the situation in the State of West Bengal is surprising and is far from an impartial overview of the situation. Maoists have spread from across the bordering states and with the help of small section of local people are creating problems mostly in 28 police stations in three districts of West Bengal. They are trying to create their own areas of dominance. They are indiscriminately killing political opponents and even innocent people. They are attacking police stations, police camps and looting arms. They are also engaged in large scale extortions and other unlawful activities.

You are fully aware of these activities of the Maoists. The greatest challenge is how to contain the Maoists and defeat them finally both administratively and politically.

In recent times State and Central Police through their joint efforts have achieved major successes. Peace and normalcy have been restored in vast areas. People who were evicted earlier are going back to their homes. Govt/Panchayat office are functioning normally and so are the schools, markets and shops. Life is gradually coming back to normalcy in these areas but still we have problem in the areas bordering our state. Trinamool Congress which was earlier maintaining secret contacts with Maoist leaders and outfits are now openly organising meetings with them.

CPI (M) and it allies are trying their best to resist the Maoists by mobilizing people against them and in the process have lost more than 170 of their workers and leaders. Unfortunately, you are now blaming them for the present state of affairs. I am afraid it will divert the attention of all concerned who are struggling against Maoists, the greatest threat to our internal security.

As regards political clashes mentioned in your letter I would like to correct your figures. 32 Trinamool Congress supporters have been killed and 601 have suffered injuries while CPI (M) have lost 69 of their cadres and another 723 have been injured. Indian National Congress has lost one of their supporters and 111 have been injured during the period mentioned in your letter. I, however, agree that it is not a happy situation and I am doing my best to stop these senseless killings. I have repeatedly appealed to all the opposition parties to cooperate. All the parties except Trinamool Congress have come forward to cooperate. Trinamool Congress has refused to talk to administration. I am trying to disarm and demoblise all armed groups engaged in violence in some pockets of the state.

I strongly object to your using the word “Harmad” to mean the CPI (M) party workers without knowing the actual meaning of this nasty word coined by Trinamool Congress leaders.

More when we meet.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

Sd/-

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee

Shri P. Chidambram

Union Home Minister

New Delhi-110 001