Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 21: The 5th Port Blair City Area Conference of CPI (M) was held on 20th October, 2024 at Shaheed Bhavan, Anarkali, Port Blair. The Conference began with the hoisting of party flags by Party City Area Committee Secretary D. Hemalatha which was followed by paying floral tributes to the martyrs at the Martyrs Memorial Column.
The Area Conference was inaugurated by D. Ayyappan, Secretary, CPI (M) A & N State Organising Committee. In his inaugural address, D. Ayyappan said that the Conference is being held at a time when the world is facing a serious threat from imperialist forces. He said that since the War in Palestine began on 7th October, 2023, about one lakh people have been killed. Referring to the Russia-Ukraine war, he said that the US is using Ukraine to advance its goal of weakening and containing Russia. Referring to the victories of Socialist and Communist parties at various countries in the world in the recent years, D. Ayyappan said that the victory of Anura Dissanayake, a Marxist Leninist leader as Executive President of Sri Lanka is an indication that the people want to come out of the capitalist system and to adopt socialistic path.
Referring to the third Modi government in the country, CPI (M) Secretary said that there will be no change in the basic direction of its policies. The BJP-led government’s economic measures, pro-corporate and neo-liberal policies, imposition of three new criminal laws, and central agencies to target opposition leaders are clear indications of the authoritarian path it wants to continue to pursue. He further said that after the setback suffered by the BJP in the recent Parliament elections, there have been widespread attacks against minorities and passage of anti-minority laws in BJP-ruled States. CPI (M) Secretary said that the “One Nation, One Election” model, if implemented, will undermine the parliamentary democratic system itself and the federal structure.
Ayyappan said that the BJP government and its Administration in Andaman & Nicobar Islands failed to address the problems of the islanders and expressed concern over the increasing power cut, deteriorating condition of roads, corruption and authoritarian style of functioning of the Lt Governor and Administration.
Addressing the Conference senior leader and former Secretary CPI (M)) State Organising Committee KG Das blamed both the Congress and BJP for the abolition of the erstwhile Pradesh Council and not providing any UT level democratic set up in these islands. He expressed concern over the deteriorating health care system in the islands and said that many life saving drugs are not available in the hospitals under the A & N Administration.
D. Hemalatha, Secretary, Port Blair City Area Committee presented the report on the functioning of the Party in the Port Blair urban area during the last three years. Participants in the Conference took part in the discussion on the Secretary’s report. Resolutions on various issues were discussed and adopted in the Conference. Senior leader P. Banerjee presented the condolence resolution.
D. Laxman Rao, State Secretariat Member of the party also addressed the Conference.
