CPI(M) to take up issues concering oppressed sections

CPI(M) today said it will take up more serious issues concerning Dalits, adivasis and minorities besides stepping up its opposition to the "pro-US tilt" of Congress-led UPA and the "communal" BJP. 

Addressing a press conference after the party adopted its tactical and political line, CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat said his party will take up issues of socially oppressed sections like Dalits, adivasis, women and minorities.

The resolution, which earmarks 11 tasks for the party ahead of the next Party Congress, was passed at the extended meeting of CPI(M) Central Committee here.

The meeting was held to formulate the political and tactical line to be adopted by the party as the Party Congress, which was to be held this year, was postponed due to Assembly elections in Kerala and West Bengal.

"Unlike some political parties which uses caste for their benefit, we will make special efforts to address social issues of socially oppressed sections of the society like Dalits, adivasis, minorities and women," Karat said.

The party also decided to "reforge" links with people who have moved away from it due to "certain shortcomings" that have been identified and are in the process of being corrected.

Acknowledging that CPI(M) has not been successful in expanding its growth and influence to the whole of the country, Karat said the party will "redouble" its efforts to fight back the concerted anti-Communist and anti-Left offensive besides strengthening Left unity.

The party has also decided to organise a national campaign between September 12 and 18 to highlight the situation in West Bengal where the "Trinamool Congress-led nexus" backed by Maoists are "attacking" its cadre, he said. 

Karat said the party was of the view that it should step up its opposition to the economic policies of the UPA which are "adversely" affecting all sections of the society besides the "pro-US tilt" in foreign policy.

He also said that communal politics needed to be combated. "Even though BJP did not succeed in the last Lok Sabha elections, the BJP and other Hindutva organisations are active.

"They are running some states. The records of these states show that they are trying to put forward the Hindutva agenda," he said, adding the party decided to continue its struggle to "isolate and defeat" them.