Neo-liberal policies of the union government must be defeated for liberation of farming sector and farmers, opined experts at the congress of Communist Party of India (Marxist) held here on Sunday. The theme for the party’s 22nd congress was ‘Alternative development model for Telangana’ and speakers expressed their firm belief in a Bahujan Left Front (BLF) to bring an end to the pro-liberal economic policies of Telangana Rashtra Samithi government.
It may be recalled that CPI(M) State secretary Tammineni Veerabhadran had in January announced the formation of a union of Left organisations and Dalit-Bahujan outfits.
Telangana government has not fulfilled its mandate to the people and TRS failed to deliver its promise of waiving farmers’ debts, BLF supporters said in the meeting. TRS has also not ensured even and sustainable economic growth dependent on industries and farming sector alike, speakers opined.
Speaking at the meeting, Vijoo Krishnan, leader of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) - which led a massive Adivasi land agitation in Maharashtra - asked for event-based solidarities between democratic forces to defeat “the most neo-liberal government that the Country has seen”. “Our protest threatened the government in Maharasthra because the Adivasi march struck a chord with common people. Even the middle-class responded to the march. The march pinched the conscience of people in Maharasthra and the slogan ‘BJP-Modi Kissan Virodhi’ became popular,” Mr. Krishnan, a Central Committee member and assistant secretary of AIKS, told The Hindu .
The 44-year-old is the youngest person to be nominated to the Central Committee, and said, despite differences, various organisations and political parties should join hands on issues that affect people the most. “We might not agree on all issues. But together, we should be able to tackle problems like communalism and neo-liberalism,” he added. AIKS is expected to build a joint front with other organisations to demand debt relief and annual remunerative price.
The Kisan Sabha had earlier formed solidarities to put an end to incidents of lynching in the country. “It is not just farmers’ welfare that democratic organisations should concentrate on. AIKS campaigned against lynching of Pehlu Khan and collected relief funds for his family. We also supports Dalit and minority concerns,” Mr. Krishnan said.
Addressing the gathering, academic, writer and political scientist Kancha Ilaiah said, “We need Marx and Lenin who were great thinkers. At the same time, we need Phule and Ambedkar, who were revolutionaries. BLF can bring massive changes in Telangana by redefining development to suit the needs of the most oppressed populations.” The meeting was attended by representatives of Dalit IAS/IPS Officers Forum including Kaki Madhav Rao.
