Firmness of mind and commitment to policy shown by communist leaders such as R.Umanath and Pappa Umanath should guide the cadre in facing the present challenge before communist ideology from ruling party and other forces, said Brinda Karat, Politbureau Member, Communist Party of India (Marxist), here on Thursday.
Speaking after unveiling a stupi in memory of Umanath and Pappa Umanath at the Dakshina Railway Employees Union (DREU) office complex at Golden Rock, Ms. Karat said that Umanath was uncompromising with respect to communist ideology and he was guided by what was good for working class, revolution, and social justice.
“I draw deep sense of inspiration from the two leaders. Both of them were communists in thought, deed, and living. The family remained an example for communist workers,” she said.
Commitment to working class was the common thread that united the couple, though they were different in nature individually and shouldered different responsibilities in the party. Although both of them occupied positions such as MP and MLA, they were not enamoured of the power but remained party worker and gave pride to the party.
She said that the stupi was not built of concrete but feelings of thousands of communist workers in the country. Though the two belonged to Tamil Nadu, they worked for the entire country. “I remember them with gratitude” she said. The stupi was put up by All India Democratic Women Association (AIDWA).
G. Ramakrishnan, State Secretary of CPI(M), said that Umanath spearheaded the agitation against Simson company. He was a worker when the Railway workshop was in Nagapattinam. Later he moved to Golden Rock when the workshop was shifted. Mahatma Gandhi laid the foundation stone for the workshop at Ponmalai. One hundred and fifty drivers belonging to Dakshina Railway Employees Union (DREU) came forward to drive trains to Pakistan when Mahatma Gandhi wanted them to do so.
P. Sukanthi, General Secretary of AIDWA, spoke. U. Vasuki, Central Committee member of the party, participated.
Bypoll
Earlier, in a brief chat with presspersons, Ms. Karat said that CPI(M) has fielded a candidate for the Srirangam by-election as the party wanted to send a political message that the Left was the only alternative for corrupt politics.
