Communist Party of India (Marxist)

19^th Congress

Anil Biswas Nagar

Coimbatore

March 29 to April 3, 2008

Speech of M. K. Pandhe At the Conclusion of the Inaugural Session

Dear comrades,

The 19^th Congress of the Party reflects the remarkable achievements after the last Party Congress. Innumerable campaigns and struggles launched by the Party and mass organisations led by the Party have resulted in growth of the Party in all directions.  The delegates and observers who have assembled here have played a crucial role in these struggles on issues facing the common people and against imperialist machinations.  The three Left Front led governments of West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura have brought to the forefront alternative policies of development which attracted attention of people all over our country.

The last three years witnessed sustained struggle of the Party and the Left Front against communal, divisive and casteist forces. Our Party has spread its mass base by intensifying our activities among the dalits, tribals and minorities.  I am sure, the deliberations of this Congress will result in further broadening the scope of our activities in this most neglected strata of our society.  The  successes registered by trade unions, organisations of kisan, agricultural workers, students, youth, women, social and cultural activists are matter of  pride for us.    Under the guidance of the Polit Bureau and Central Committee, our Party has  taken concrete steps to build worker-peasant alliance which  requires further strengthening in the forthcoming period.

I am very happy to note that a comprehensive  discussion has taken place all over the country on the draft Political Resolution.  The inner-Party   discussion on the draft resolution highlights the strength of our Party to have a democratic debate.  A large number of amendments sent by comrades only expresses the pooling of rich  experience gained by our Party members in implementing the tasks laid down by the 18^th Congress.  This will strengthen our resolve to overcome our weakness and march forward for further achievements!

Comrades, despite a powerful campaign by the vested interests and sections of the media to malign our Party by resorting to lies and slander, we have stood firm and the entire Party rose as one man to give a fitting reply to this campaign.  The ideological unity in the Party has become stronger in fighting heroically against the slanderous accusations. 

During the last three years, in every class struggle, our Party has expressed unflinching loyalty to the principles of Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism.  Our firm commitment is to go forward to people’s democracy with the ultimate objective of establishing socialism. 

As a premier Left force in India, our Party is committed to strengthen the Left unity.  As noted by speakers in this session, the differences within the Left movement are not irreconcilable and can be resolved through comradely discussions. Without a strong Left unity, the task of taking the country forward in right direction cannot be achieved.

It is the paramount task before the Party Congress to develop a non-Congress, non-BJP democratic and secular third alternative. I have no doubt that this Party Congress will chalk out clear path for development of such an alternative. 

Comrades, the participation of several delegates from fraternal Communist parties of all continents will strengthen our conviction that future of the world lies only in socialism and the international solidarity of the working class parties. Let us pledge to strengthen this solidarity with firm determination!

Before I conclude, I must congratulate, on behalf of the Presidium, the Reception Committee and thousands of men and women, young and old comrades in Tamilnadu who have tirelessly worked day and night to make this Party Congress a grand success.