Excerpts from the Report of the Central Committee Deliberations
The CC met in Delhi from 13-15 December, 1996. Following are some of the major policy guidelines and decisions arrived at the meeting.
On the Present Political Situation and Our Tasks
On Demands of Statehood
a) On the eve of India’s 50 years of Independence, the CC feels the time has come to constitute the second states reorganisation commission to study the rising demands of statehood in several parts of the country. A central delegation of the Party led by Comrade Nagbhushan Patnaik will meet Prime Minister and present a memorandum to the same effect.
b) On Gorkhaland: The Party fully sympathises with the aspirations of Gorkha people in Darjeeling in West Bengal. The CPI(M)-led LF government’s pandering to Bengali chauvinism is the root cause behind the growing sentiments in favour of Gorkhaland. The CC has particularly noted the rebellion of entire hill unit of CPI(M) including its two MPs. We stand for developing closer cooperation with the newly formed CRP(M) in Hills and discuss with them the feasibility of various options: from more powers to the council to constitutional amendments to grant autonomous statehood within West Bengal and up to the formation of a separate state.
c) Jharkhand: The JAAC has proved to be a toothless institution and is thoroughly discredited. The Party has already taken moves to intensify Jharkhand movement in cooperation with CPI and Marxist Coordination Committee. The CC emphasises developing cooperation with segments of Jharkhandi political forces as well as sections of JD who are for a separate state.
d) Karbi Anglong: With the accord on more powers to the Autonomous Council on the verge of implementation, the CC has asked comrades there to revive the demand of autonomous statehood in the changed political scenario.
On Some States
a) Bihar: With the declining stock of Janata Dal and its mentor Laloo Yadav, great opportunities have opened up before us to undertake major initiatives and bold expansion. In the turbulent political situation, political forces of all hues have begun taking initiatives and even the official left is trying to project a distance from Laloo and taking up movements.
Beginning from district-level mobilisation, we plan to go for a massive Halla Bol rally at Patna in late February or early March.
Fresh measures have been taken to revive Kisan Sabha, specifically with the objective of reaching the poor and middle peasant social base of JD which is disillusioned at present. An Awami Secular March was organised and other initiatives are planned to reach the Muslim masses who constitute the other major segment of JD’s support base.
Situation, however, remains complicated in Bhojpur and Siwan where private armies of landlords are indulging in a spate of massacres with the covert support of the administration. The CC emphasised that all-out efforts must be made to beat back the landlords’ offensive in these districts, particularly Bhojpur. This is crucial for the advance of the statewide political movement against corruption.
At this phase we should put greater emphasis on joint initiatives with smaller left, democratic organisations and progressive intellectuals. The possibility of forming a popular front against corruption with such forces can also be considered. Cooperation with CPI-CPI(M), Samajwadi Party etc. may be considered at a later stage.
b) Assam: Cracks are developing in AGP and the Bhrigu Phukhan faction is renewing its activity centring on the demand of repeal of Illegal Migrants Detection Tribunal (IMDT) Act. The CC considers that we should confine to demanding suitable amendments to the Act and prevail upon Phukhan to raise the whole gamut of democratic issues instead of just IMDT.
c) West Bengal: LF government is increasingly taking anti-people positions. Ruthless eviction of thousands of hawkers in Calcutta at the instance of foreign investors, police raid on our Party office at Krishnanagar, Nadia, and severe torture of a respected Party leader and cadres in police lock-up are reminiscent of the Congress rule in the ’70s. The CC has reiterated the need for a massive propaganda among CPI(M) ranks and taking bold initiatives in selected special zones of peasant movement.
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