Modi backing corporates, says Karat

Samar Mukherjee Nagar (Visakhapatnam): CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat on Tuesday attacked the NDA government on its economic policies and its “attempts to communally polarize society”. Delivering inaugural address at the party’s 21st Congress here, Karat lashed out at the Centre’s pro-rich policies and accused it of pursuing neo-liberal policies to benefit corporates. “NDA govt’s use of ordinances, intolerance towards secular intelligentsia are portents of an authoritarian regime,” he said.

Karat said entrusting mines to corporate companies is the best example of Modi’s 10-month old rule. He said Modi’s foreign policy is in tune with American pressure tactics. He alleged that labour in the villages were in great troubles as they were not getting work in the rural areas. Farmers were facing troubles as they were not getting minimum supporting price (MSP) to their produce.   

Communal attacks were on the rise in the country, he said, adding there is a need for the Left Parties and like-minded organizations to move forward in coordination. Alleging that the Narendra Modi government was extending full support to the corporate companies, he said the Left parties should unite and stop the communal juggernaut which set rolling after the BJP and its allies won the last general elections with a thumping majority. He said the party has witnessed the unfolding of the right wing offensive in the country which spans the economic, political, social and cultural spheres.

Karat, who is set to be succeeded by Sitaram Yechuri, said the conclave would send out a clear and categorical message to people that the only alternative to the neo-liberal, corrupt and communal order is a Left and democratic alternative. He said that it was necessary to make the Communist Party of India more vibrant and militant to launch powerful struggles of all sections of people. He also said that the Adivasis face dispossession and displacement under the new mining and mineral law.

Karat also praised the role of Dr B R Ambedkar in drafting Indian Constitution and everyone has to strive to achieve the goals of Ambedkar. He said Ambedkar strove for social justice in his life. CPM politburo member Seetharam Yechuri said the Communists across the world were extending support to the Left Parties’ movements in India. He read the messages sent by 25 Communist parties. He also pointed out that China Communist Party described the CPM’s role in India as wonderful and CPM’s efforts to improve relations between the people of India and China.

China Communist Party expressed its willingness to work for the betterment of China and India. Politburo member of CPI (ML) Liberation Kavitha Krishnan referred to the recent incident in which over 20 tribal people were killed by the police for which both TDP and BJP haven’t taken any action on the police. Referring to the district, she said “Vizag is a historic center for historic events beginning from Manyam Mandasa to the Telangana movement”.

Among others, general secreatary of CPI Sudhakar Reddy, CPM politburo member B V Raghavulu,  AIFB general secretary Debabrata Biswas, RSP leader Abani Roy, Brinda Karat, Kodiyari Balakrishna, M A Baby, Surikanth Mishra and A K Padmanabhan were present among others. Earlier, West Bengal former minister Mohammad Sameen hoisted the party flag.