POST ELECTION SITUATION - OUR TASKS.
CPI(ML), CENTRAL COMMITTEE.
The elections to the 16th Parliament have resulted in a crushing defeat to Congress led UPA and thumping victory to BJP led NDA with BJP singly winning majority.
The results expressed the anger of people at the rampant price rise, inflation, massive corruption with recurring scams which played havoc with the lives and livelihoods of our people. The results expressed the anger and wrath of people at the policies pursued by the Congress led UPA Government, which favored the imperialists (MNCs), big comprador bourgeoisie, big landlords, big contractors, and dalals (agents) of the ruling classes and brought disastrous consequences for the people and country. The election also expressed the people's strong urge for betterment in their living and working conditions – an urge which they have been sustaining decade after decade.
Much before the announcement of elections, RSS through its political wing BJP, sensed the mood of the people and pressed into action all their means to exploit the situation in their favor. It moved swiftly and turned the outcome of the elections in its own favor. They became successful to dupe and misled the people to reap a huge victory in the poll. RSS compelled the BJP leadership to declare Modi, first as a chairman of the election campaign committee and the Prime Ministerial Candidate as early as in Sept'2013. This was first time where a person was focused as the future Prime Minister. During the campaign, Modi and his campaigners raised a hue and cry about the rule of Nehru family of Congress, but, in reality, Modi was brought on par with Congress in inculcating and fostering personality cult.
Media was brought months ago. Entire media, with a very few exceptions, virtually worked as a propaganda tool of Modi and provided coverage to him as never seen before in any Parliament Elections.
The Indian big Bourgeoisies and the big corporate houses projected Modi as the future PM. This got the endorsement of the USA too. They pinned hope on Modi that he would deliver the goods for them, as they desired, by expediting the implementation of the liberal economic reforms with aggressive speed and thrust -of course, under the banner of 'development and progress'. They cited Gujarat as an example where the Corporate houses and MNCs were provided lots of facilities like acquisition of acres after acres of land at throwaway prices, huge amount of tax concessions etc (all at the cost of the people) for establishing industries under Modi's regime. The Indian big bourgeoisie including the corporate houses made contribution to election fund to the BJP in a massive way,of which a minimum estimate of the amount spent by the BJP in elections go to Rs. 10,000 crores. As reported in the media, it is more than what American President spent for election.
The election promise of the BJP and Modi was for a rapid development in the Country leading to an 'all round progress and better future for the common people'. Modi was projected as the icon of development and incarnation of decisiveness. Along with this, Hindutva agenda, and stories like Modi's birth in an OBC's family, his chaiwala childhood were put into circulation and propaganda and utilized to garner votes. Together with this, BJP entered into alliances in certain States like in Bihar with Lok Janashakti Party of Pashwan and AP with TDP to have a ruling position in different states.
The Third Front, a loose platform of Left Front and some regional parties like Mulayam led SP in UP, Nitish Kumar led JDU in Bihar etc., proved to be a non starter to participate in election as a UF of the parties. Navin Patnaik and Jayalatia distanced themselves from the third front. Mamata was quite hostile towards this front. As a result, the Third Front proved to be a totally ineffective in the election. In this context, it needs to mention that the 16th LS election nakedly exposed the CPM in its true color particularly in Bengal – the citadel of their organizational strength. Their support based among the toiling masses has dwindled further with an ominous sign of a good many of them opting for the BJP as noticed in the voting pattern. The trend continues even after the election. It is ominous for the democratic and secular forces of the country.
These elections have exposed the hoax of democracy more nakedly. As we assessed, “whole electoral system was turned out be affront to basic tenets of democracy. With money and muscle power, communal, casteist and regional feelings playing a significant role in setting the trend of voting and its outcome, the common people found the doors of parliamentary institutions being shut for their genuine representatives.
Though some intellectuals want the people of our country to believe that Modi has 'moderated', his position on communal question, his slogan during the campaign and utterances of his ministers and other BJP leaders belie this. Though Modi posed himself as a 'messiah' of development, his hindutva agenda was always there behind the shadow. His talk about sending back the so called migrants from Bangladesh, about who benefits from the pink (beef) export, ending article 370 from the Constitution are clear signals that he had not moderated. The election result show that out of 283 elected MP s not a single Mp is from the Muslim community. So, there is good reason to worry that Hindutva forces are raising their ugly face. RSS leaders are already demanding about the agenda for the new government as Ram temple, Article 370, Uniform Civil Code, changes in the history, text books and in the sphere of culture, etc.
In the States where the regional ruling class parties managed to have a better footing among the people(for more than one reason) like TN, Odisha, WB, so called Modi wave has fizzled out. In these states, AIADMK, BJD and TMC (in West Bengal coupled with high pitched anti Modi tirade to the extent possible)scored massive success ridings high anti Congress wave sweeping through out the country. SP in UP, JDU in Bihar could not benefit on anti Congress wave because they could not muster support among the people in these respective states.
Through their promises and populist slogans, Modi and BJP raised high hopes among the people. The people were lured to believe that Modi if come to power would put a check on price rise, corruption, unearthing huge amount of black money,unemployment, rising atrocities on women and various other social, economic, and political ills. But the policy declarations and the first Budget indicate that the Modi government is committed to continue the policies pursued and implemented assiduously by Manmohan Sing for the last one decade in a more through-going and ruthless manner. The first indication was sharp increase in Railway Passenger and Freight fares. Massive privatization of public sector enterprises, handing over of public sector banks, further raising the cap on FDI in Defense and allowing FDI in Railways, drastic reduction in food, fuel and fertilizer subsidies are some of the measures on the anvil.
The economic reforms as desired by the imperialist powers had spelt disaster in the life of our people and the country. Be it agricultural distress, decline in manufacturing sector, slump in the service sector, construction of air and sea ports, dams, roads, SEZs or power stations, Railway corridors etc., the burden of which are being being transferred on to the backs of workers, peasants, youth and other common people to the destruction of their lives and livelihoods. The people are resisting these moves in most of the places and the resistance is sure to grow in extent and strength in the coming days. The ruling classes want the suppression of people with iron hand and with illusions of development. For this, they have brought Modi to power to effectively quell the people's resistance to their goal. This is being justified in the name of security of the country and fight against Left extremism and terrorism. This is the stark message from the Loksabha election, 2014.
Our Party correctly assessed that the present election was being fought in the style of US President's election and the coming government will run like a presidential form where the President (here PM) is all powerful. We have correctly assessed “BJP – Sang Parivar clique coming to power under the grab of the NDA means all round attack on the secular fabric of the country to enhance the goal of turning India into Hindu - Rashtra aiming to divide the people on communal basis to enhance the interests of imperialists and big bourgeoisie.” “The NDA coming to power means people's rights would be suppressed in a fascistic manner to allow the big capital to grow unhindered.”
BJP led NDA, Congress led UPA and different regional ruling parties in the country resorted to divisive, sectarian slogans and propaganda to divide the people on the basis of religion, region, caste, community, ethnicity, etc. to divert the people from their real problems and create the vote bank to suit their electoral interests. It has put an additional work load and responsibility on the shoulders of the Communist Revolutionaries to wage a relentless struggle against the divisive and diversionary methods of the ruling classes and unite the people in the fight for their rights in the face of increasing onslaught of the ruling classes and their state.
Modi Govt. has inherited a crisis ridden economy. It is the part of the crisis plaguing the World Capital Economy. This crisis cannot be overcome unless and until our economy is freed from the shackles of imperialism and oriented basically and decisively in the interest of our people and the country. Whatever speed or decisiveness Modi's regime may show in pursuing the same policies that guided the economy so far can only worsen the situation further rather than changing it for the better. Similarly, neither it can console the people with its empty, high sounding and populist slogans, nor keep the people divided and diverted for ever with its Hindutva agenda, castiest, regional and chauvinistic slogans. The realities of life are more powerful. Learning from their own experience, the people would overcome all hurdles in the path of their struggle.
In a situation, where the parliamentary opposition parties including the CPI(M) and their left front partners have accepted imperialist globalization as faith accomplice and had been implementing policies of the imperialist globalization wherever they have been in power, the people as well as the country are faced with a future fraught with grave danger. This calls for the Communist Revolutionary Forces to come forward to take on the challenge. They should have an introspection of the role they played hitherto. In the process they must shun their inertia and work sincerely for principled and effective unity among themselves. They should close their ranks, strengthen themselves organizationally and in terms of class and mass organizations and movements. They must strive to forge unity and alliance with the democratic and patriotic forces in order to fight the dangers ahead and mobilize and organize the people for united struggles on the following demands.
Demands
--------------
Oppose Imperialist Globalization, Privatization and Liberalization.
Stop changes in Food Security Act.
Stop changes in MNREHA.
Stop changes in Land Acquisition Act.
Roll back privatization of PSUs.
Stop privatization of Defense Production.
Stop Price Rise.
Declare Drought in the country, and Give Relief to the Peasants.
Implement Pro-People Development Policy.
Central Committee
CPI(ML)
CPI(ML), CENTRAL COMMITTEE.
The elections to the 16th Parliament have resulted in a crushing defeat to Congress led UPA and thumping victory to BJP led NDA with BJP singly winning majority.
The results expressed the anger of people at the rampant price rise, inflation, massive corruption with recurring scams which played havoc with the lives and livelihoods of our people. The results expressed the anger and wrath of people at the policies pursued by the Congress led UPA Government, which favored the imperialists (MNCs), big comprador bourgeoisie, big landlords, big contractors, and dalals (agents) of the ruling classes and brought disastrous consequences for the people and country. The election also expressed the people's strong urge for betterment in their living and working conditions – an urge which they have been sustaining decade after decade.
Much before the announcement of elections, RSS through its political wing BJP, sensed the mood of the people and pressed into action all their means to exploit the situation in their favor. It moved swiftly and turned the outcome of the elections in its own favor. They became successful to dupe and misled the people to reap a huge victory in the poll. RSS compelled the BJP leadership to declare Modi, first as a chairman of the election campaign committee and the Prime Ministerial Candidate as early as in Sept'2013. This was first time where a person was focused as the future Prime Minister. During the campaign, Modi and his campaigners raised a hue and cry about the rule of Nehru family of Congress, but, in reality, Modi was brought on par with Congress in inculcating and fostering personality cult.
Media was brought months ago. Entire media, with a very few exceptions, virtually worked as a propaganda tool of Modi and provided coverage to him as never seen before in any Parliament Elections.
The Indian big Bourgeoisies and the big corporate houses projected Modi as the future PM. This got the endorsement of the USA too. They pinned hope on Modi that he would deliver the goods for them, as they desired, by expediting the implementation of the liberal economic reforms with aggressive speed and thrust -of course, under the banner of 'development and progress'. They cited Gujarat as an example where the Corporate houses and MNCs were provided lots of facilities like acquisition of acres after acres of land at throwaway prices, huge amount of tax concessions etc (all at the cost of the people) for establishing industries under Modi's regime. The Indian big bourgeoisie including the corporate houses made contribution to election fund to the BJP in a massive way,of which a minimum estimate of the amount spent by the BJP in elections go to Rs. 10,000 crores. As reported in the media, it is more than what American President spent for election.
The election promise of the BJP and Modi was for a rapid development in the Country leading to an 'all round progress and better future for the common people'. Modi was projected as the icon of development and incarnation of decisiveness. Along with this, Hindutva agenda, and stories like Modi's birth in an OBC's family, his chaiwala childhood were put into circulation and propaganda and utilized to garner votes. Together with this, BJP entered into alliances in certain States like in Bihar with Lok Janashakti Party of Pashwan and AP with TDP to have a ruling position in different states.
The Third Front, a loose platform of Left Front and some regional parties like Mulayam led SP in UP, Nitish Kumar led JDU in Bihar etc., proved to be a non starter to participate in election as a UF of the parties. Navin Patnaik and Jayalatia distanced themselves from the third front. Mamata was quite hostile towards this front. As a result, the Third Front proved to be a totally ineffective in the election. In this context, it needs to mention that the 16th LS election nakedly exposed the CPM in its true color particularly in Bengal – the citadel of their organizational strength. Their support based among the toiling masses has dwindled further with an ominous sign of a good many of them opting for the BJP as noticed in the voting pattern. The trend continues even after the election. It is ominous for the democratic and secular forces of the country.
These elections have exposed the hoax of democracy more nakedly. As we assessed, “whole electoral system was turned out be affront to basic tenets of democracy. With money and muscle power, communal, casteist and regional feelings playing a significant role in setting the trend of voting and its outcome, the common people found the doors of parliamentary institutions being shut for their genuine representatives.
Though some intellectuals want the people of our country to believe that Modi has 'moderated', his position on communal question, his slogan during the campaign and utterances of his ministers and other BJP leaders belie this. Though Modi posed himself as a 'messiah' of development, his hindutva agenda was always there behind the shadow. His talk about sending back the so called migrants from Bangladesh, about who benefits from the pink (beef) export, ending article 370 from the Constitution are clear signals that he had not moderated. The election result show that out of 283 elected MP s not a single Mp is from the Muslim community. So, there is good reason to worry that Hindutva forces are raising their ugly face. RSS leaders are already demanding about the agenda for the new government as Ram temple, Article 370, Uniform Civil Code, changes in the history, text books and in the sphere of culture, etc.
In the States where the regional ruling class parties managed to have a better footing among the people(for more than one reason) like TN, Odisha, WB, so called Modi wave has fizzled out. In these states, AIADMK, BJD and TMC (in West Bengal coupled with high pitched anti Modi tirade to the extent possible)scored massive success ridings high anti Congress wave sweeping through out the country. SP in UP, JDU in Bihar could not benefit on anti Congress wave because they could not muster support among the people in these respective states.
Through their promises and populist slogans, Modi and BJP raised high hopes among the people. The people were lured to believe that Modi if come to power would put a check on price rise, corruption, unearthing huge amount of black money,unemployment, rising atrocities on women and various other social, economic, and political ills. But the policy declarations and the first Budget indicate that the Modi government is committed to continue the policies pursued and implemented assiduously by Manmohan Sing for the last one decade in a more through-going and ruthless manner. The first indication was sharp increase in Railway Passenger and Freight fares. Massive privatization of public sector enterprises, handing over of public sector banks, further raising the cap on FDI in Defense and allowing FDI in Railways, drastic reduction in food, fuel and fertilizer subsidies are some of the measures on the anvil.
The economic reforms as desired by the imperialist powers had spelt disaster in the life of our people and the country. Be it agricultural distress, decline in manufacturing sector, slump in the service sector, construction of air and sea ports, dams, roads, SEZs or power stations, Railway corridors etc., the burden of which are being being transferred on to the backs of workers, peasants, youth and other common people to the destruction of their lives and livelihoods. The people are resisting these moves in most of the places and the resistance is sure to grow in extent and strength in the coming days. The ruling classes want the suppression of people with iron hand and with illusions of development. For this, they have brought Modi to power to effectively quell the people's resistance to their goal. This is being justified in the name of security of the country and fight against Left extremism and terrorism. This is the stark message from the Loksabha election, 2014.
Our Party correctly assessed that the present election was being fought in the style of US President's election and the coming government will run like a presidential form where the President (here PM) is all powerful. We have correctly assessed “BJP – Sang Parivar clique coming to power under the grab of the NDA means all round attack on the secular fabric of the country to enhance the goal of turning India into Hindu - Rashtra aiming to divide the people on communal basis to enhance the interests of imperialists and big bourgeoisie.” “The NDA coming to power means people's rights would be suppressed in a fascistic manner to allow the big capital to grow unhindered.”
BJP led NDA, Congress led UPA and different regional ruling parties in the country resorted to divisive, sectarian slogans and propaganda to divide the people on the basis of religion, region, caste, community, ethnicity, etc. to divert the people from their real problems and create the vote bank to suit their electoral interests. It has put an additional work load and responsibility on the shoulders of the Communist Revolutionaries to wage a relentless struggle against the divisive and diversionary methods of the ruling classes and unite the people in the fight for their rights in the face of increasing onslaught of the ruling classes and their state.
Modi Govt. has inherited a crisis ridden economy. It is the part of the crisis plaguing the World Capital Economy. This crisis cannot be overcome unless and until our economy is freed from the shackles of imperialism and oriented basically and decisively in the interest of our people and the country. Whatever speed or decisiveness Modi's regime may show in pursuing the same policies that guided the economy so far can only worsen the situation further rather than changing it for the better. Similarly, neither it can console the people with its empty, high sounding and populist slogans, nor keep the people divided and diverted for ever with its Hindutva agenda, castiest, regional and chauvinistic slogans. The realities of life are more powerful. Learning from their own experience, the people would overcome all hurdles in the path of their struggle.
In a situation, where the parliamentary opposition parties including the CPI(M) and their left front partners have accepted imperialist globalization as faith accomplice and had been implementing policies of the imperialist globalization wherever they have been in power, the people as well as the country are faced with a future fraught with grave danger. This calls for the Communist Revolutionary Forces to come forward to take on the challenge. They should have an introspection of the role they played hitherto. In the process they must shun their inertia and work sincerely for principled and effective unity among themselves. They should close their ranks, strengthen themselves organizationally and in terms of class and mass organizations and movements. They must strive to forge unity and alliance with the democratic and patriotic forces in order to fight the dangers ahead and mobilize and organize the people for united struggles on the following demands.
Demands
--------------
Oppose Imperialist Globalization, Privatization and Liberalization.
Stop changes in Food Security Act.
Stop changes in MNREHA.
Stop changes in Land Acquisition Act.
Roll back privatization of PSUs.
Stop privatization of Defense Production.
Stop Price Rise.
Declare Drought in the country, and Give Relief to the Peasants.
Implement Pro-People Development Policy.
Central Committee
CPI(ML)
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