The 14th Uttar Pradesh State Conference of the CPI(ML) Liberation commenced with a march at Sikandarpur in Ballia District on February 15 against the politics of hatred and the authoritarian ‘Bulldozer Raj’ of the Yogi-Modi regime. The two-day conference, attended by 400 delegates, began with the flag hoisting by veteran leader Mukhtar Ahmad and paying tribute to martyrs by observing two minutes of silence.
The inaugural session was addressed by CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, who sharply criticised the BJP government’s handling of key issues. He particularly condemned the recent deportation of Indians by the United States in handcuffs, terming it an attack on the dignity and sovereignty of the Indian people. He remarked, “While smaller nations like Colombia are protesting against this humiliating treatment of their citizens, Prime Minister Modi visits the US and legitimises this move under the guise of combating human trafficking. Gujarat, the showcase of Modi’s much-hyped ‘model’, has seen a rise in such trafficking over the past three decades of BJP rule.”
Com. Dipankar’s speech highlighted various facets of state repression under the BJP’s ‘double-engine’ government, rising atrocities against Dalits, minorities and the working class, alongside the increasing use of bulldozers to illegally demolish homes. The session was addressed by CPI(ML) Member of Parliament from Ara (Bihar), Sudama Prasad, Deputy Leader of the Legislative Party in Bihar Satyadev Ram, ex-MLA Amar Yadav and CPI Uttar Pradesh State Secretary Arvind Raj, reinforcing the need for a united left-democratic resistance against the ruling regime’s anti-people policies. Noted social activist and writer Naish Hasan from Lucknow also spoke at the event denouncing the growing communal and patriarchal violence in Uttar Pradesh.
The conference deliberated on strategies to strengthen CPI(ML) and left-wing mobilisation in Uttar Pradesh, with a particular focus on workers’ rights, agrarian distress, and the protection of constitutional freedoms against the communal fascism onslaughts. Comrade Indresh Maikhuri, central committee member, was the central observer for the conference. Party’s UP incharge Kunal also addressed the conference. After two days of deliberations the conference elected a 65-member state committee which in turn elected Comrade Sudhakar Yadav as Secretary. 57 delegates shared their views on the work report which was passed unanimously.
The conference passed resolutions that included a condolence resolution for the pilgrims who died in the stampedes in the Kumbh Mela and at New Delhi Railway station due to governmental negligence and mismanagement. This resolution also demanded the resignation of the Union Railway Minister for his incompetence. Another resolution condemned the Modi government for shamelessly accepting insults meted out to Indian migrant workers who were sent back in chains.
The conference demanded immediate halt to the ongoing imposition of smart electricity meters giving inflated bills, 200 units free electricity to each household, removal of ESMA imposed on struggling employees, and inquiry into every incident of fake encounter and custodial death under the Yogi regime. It was resolved by the conference to intensify the fight against Yogi’s bulldozer raj which is illegally demolishing the homes of poor, dalit, adivasi and minorities besides displacing a large number of villages and localities on the pretext of forest or public lands without rehabilitation and compensations.
The issue of justice for IIT-BHU gangrape victim was raised vehemently. The conference expressed solidarity with the agitating youth against 69,000 teachers recruitment scam. The debt waiver of poor households and women trapped by atrocious microfinance companies was also discussed.
The delegates strongly criticised Yogi government for its anti-muslim actions and passed a resolution against state sponsored violence perpetrated in Sambhal and Baharaich and demanded to stop the oppression of minorities and strict implementation of Places of Worship Act 1991.
The conference reiterated the Party’s resolve to intensify people’s movement against divisive politics of BJP-RSS and to bring people’s basic issues to the centrestage of UP’s politics.
