CPI-M targets Trinamool's 'corruption', BJP's 'communal politics'

Targeting both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP in West Bengal, the CPI-M on Friday chalked out a five-point political programme railing against "corruption and autocracy" perpetrated by the state's ruling party and the "divisive strategies" of the communal forces.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist came up with the "immediate agitation programme" on the sixth and concluding day of its 24th state conference that made the Trinamool the target of its attack.

It also laid stress on industrialisation and opening of closed units, security of livelihood for peasants and urged the party workers to immerse themselves in the campaign for next month's municipal polls.

Calling upon the people to raise the voice for the end of the regime of "corruption and scams", the CPI-M alleged the Trinamool Congress leaders, state ministers, and MPs are immersed neck deep in graft.

"Not only in the state, it is an unprecedented occurrence in the entire country. We ah veto rally the majority of people to raise their voices and bring to an end this autocratic and scam regime."

The party claimed that atrocities by the "violent army" of the ruling party who are being sheltered by the police and denial of personal freedom, outraging of women's modesty as also the free run of anti-socials in the education sector, besides anarchy has created "unheard of danger" for democracy.

"Communal forces including the Bharatiya Janata Party are exploiting the situation to serve their agenda and carrying on a strategy of dividing the people. The party has to intensify efforts to rally the left democratic and secular forces to protect democracy and against communalism," it said.

Alleging the lack of fresh industrial investment during the Trinamool rule, it said the projects started or proposed during the erstwhile Left Front regime were either "moribund" or closed.

It claimed while over 100 medium and large industrial units had downed shutters, several tea gardens were closed, "We have to carry out a vigorous struggle with the demand for industrialisaiton, reopening of closed units and work for the unemployed".

Turning to the plight of the peasants, the CPI-M said they were not getting the price for their crops, and support prices.

"The state government has not taken any initiative to protect the interests of farmers who have been devastated by neo-liberal attacks. There are no opportunities for loans, or insurance. The skyrocketing prices have also made life miserable for the peasants and other poor people."

"Their pitiable situation is forcing potato growers to take their own lives. We have to launch a vigorous movement across the state demanding work for the rural workforce and highlighting the issues of the farmers," it said.