CPM better alternative to BJP and Cong, claims party secy

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) will provide the people of Himachal Pradesh a better alternative to both the Congress and BJP, claimed newly appointed State Secretary of the party Sanjay Chauhan.

He said this during the closing moments of the three-day conference of the CPM Himachal Pradesh State Committee that concluded here today. During his address, Chauhan said the CPM would become the voice of workers, farmers, middle class, women, students, youth, Dalits, backward communities, minorities and all working-class sections of society. He added that the party would launch mass movements in the state which would focus on public issues.

Criticising both Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government and Congress-led state government for implementing “anti-people neoliberal policies”, Chauhan said these policies widened the gap between the rich and the poor, with the rich getting richer, while the suffering of ordinary people continued to increase.

“Since the BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014, the country has been divided into two Indias: one, suffering from poverty, and the other, flourishing in wealth. The gap between the rich and the poor has deepened, with the government’s policies benefiting the rich while exploiting the poor,” he said. “Over the past decade, under PM Modi’s leadership, the rights of the working people have been systematically eroded. Subsidies for farmers and the public have been cut and labour laws that benefited workers were replaced with anti-worker labour codes. The country has witnessed a rise in unemployment, increase in farmer suicides and a deepening agricultural crisis,” said Chauhan. He also accused the Congress-led state government of implementing policies similar to those of the Central government, thus imposing financial burden on the public. Chauhan condemned the RSS and BJP-affiliated organisations for “exacerbating communal tension” in Shimla and accused the Congress leaders of being complicit in the situation.

Party sets up 32-member state committee

The CPM today constituted its 33-member state committee. The newly elected state committee members include Ravindra Kumar, Jagat Ram, Falma Chauhan, Hottam Sonkhla, Sudesh, Joginder, Devkinand, Narayan, Ashok Katoch, Rajendra, Mohit, Narendra, Satyawan Pundir, Mahendra Rana, Ram Singh, Barkat, Kuldeep Dogra, Veena Vaidya, Geeta Ram, Shokini Ram, and Chandrakanta. Suresh Sarwal and KK Rana were appointed permanent invitees to the state committee. Additionally, a three-member Control Commission was set up, with Jagmohan Thakur elected its chairperson and Rajendra Chauhan and Vijay Sharma its members.