Newly elected general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Sitaram Yechury has called upon the party leaders to combat the twin challenges of economic exploitation and social oppression which were affecting all aspects of social and political spheres on the country.
Speaking at the concluding session of the 21st Party Congress here on Sunday, he said: “We cannot walk on one leg, leave alone running, fighting the economic exploitation.” He underlined the need for bringing various forms of social oppression including the problems faced by tribals and downtrodden communities into the party radar.
Expressing concern over the rise in capitalist forces led by the government headed by the ‘communal forces,’ he said these forces were in turn aggressively pursuing the neo liberal policies and ensuring erosion of democratic practices.
“The new Trimurthi is pervading all aspects of social and political spheres. We will have to ensure that this Trimurthi does not convert itself into Trishul and pierce the heart of India,” he said.
The CPI (M) general secretary described the task entrusted to him as onerous and great responsibility and said he had been elected to the top post at a very challenging time for the party as well as the nation. “The present Congress is the Congress of the future for the party and it will form the basis for strengthening our independent identity,” he said.
Besides working for strengthening the Left and democratic forces, the focus would be on strengthening the organisation to effectively implement the party's tactical line and political resolution.
Asserting that it was his responsibility to work form overthrowing the present class rule, he said the strength of the party lay in collective functioning and redoubling the efforts to advance the struggles by various sections.
‘Mass mobilisation vital for CPI(M) to remain relevant’ - Exclusive interview
Ahead of the 21st party congress of the CPI(M) in Visakhapatnam from April 14 to 19,Sitaram Yechury spoke on the challenges before the party and the general political situation prevailing in the country. > Read more
>Video: Sitaram Yechury speaks to The Hindu- TIMELINE
- › Elected as All India Joint Secretary of SFI in 1978 and went on to become the All India President of SFI.
- › In 1984, he was invited to the Central Committee of the CPI(M).
- › He was arrested for opposing internal emergency in 1975. He was later elected the president of JNU’s students union.
- › Elected to the Central Committee in the CPI(M) 12th Congress in 1985.
- › He was captain of the lawn tennis team in the Jawaharlal Nehru University.
- › Elected to the Central Secretariat at the 13th Congress in 1988.
- › Elected Polit Bureau member at the 14th Congress in 1992.
- › He was elected to Rajya Sabha from West Bengal in July 2005.
- › Elected the fifth general secretary at the party's 21st party Congress in Vishakapatnam on 19 April 2015.
- › Sitaram Yechury and Polit Bureau member S. Ramachandran Pillai were the frontrunners for the post.