February 27, 2004
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi on February 26, 2004. It has issued the following statement:
The Polit Bureau reviewed the work done with regard to the Lok Sabha elections on the basis of the decisions taken at the Central Committee meeting in Hyderabad in January. The Polit Bureau approved the first list (attached herewith) of constituencies and the candidates of the Party in these elections. The second and final list will be issued a few days later.
The
Polit
Bureau
discussed
and
approved
the
broad
outline
of
the
election
manifesto
to
be
issued
by
the
Party
in
the
elections.
The
manifesto
will
put
forward
the
Party’s
goal
in
these
elections
to:
defeat
the
BJP
and
its
allies;
formation
of
a
secular
government
and
strengthening
of
the
CPI(M)
and
the
Left
in
parliament.
February
24
Strike
The Polit Bureau congratulated the millions of workers and employees who joined the one-day general strike held on February 24. the wide participation of workers and employees cutting across trade union affiliations shows the deep concern of the working people on the Supreme Court’s judgement denying the right to strike to government employees and other sections. The Polit Bureau demands that the Central Government take note of the widespread anger among the working people at this attack on their rights. It should immediately take steps to protect the right to strike which is an intrinsic part of the democratic rights of all citizens of the country.
Iraq:
Observe
Anti-War
Day
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) extends full support to the call given internationally for the observance of March 20, the day the United States launched its military aggression against Iraq last year. On this day, all over the world protests will be organised to demand the end of the illegal occupation of Iraq by the United States and its allies. The Polit Bureau calls upon all its Party units to mark this day with big protest marches alongwith other anti-imperialist and democratic forces to demand an immediate end to the US occupation of Iraq and the restoration of Iraq’s sovereignty to be exercised by its people.