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CPI national meet set to start with debate on price rise

Discussions on government’s economic policies to follow

— Photo: Satish H

CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan looking at a plough which was presented to him in Hyderabad on Saturday. The party’s 20th national congress will begin on Sunday.

HYDERABAD: The Communist Party of India (CPI) has decided to launch a nationwide agitation against the spiralling rise in the prices of essential commodities as it is imposing a heavy burden on the common man.

As the stage is set for the commencement of the party’s 20th national conference here on Sunday, the party has decided to introduce a resolution on price rise on the first day itself to chalk out the future course of action.

CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan will move the political resolution while the national secretariat member D. Raja will present the draft political review.

Both of them will be discussed from Sunday onwards during the five-day-long Congress.

“Price rise is the first item on which we plan to launch a countrywide action immediately after the national conference,” a senior leader said. Immediately after the conclusion of the inaugural session that is expected to be attended, among others, by CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat, the CPI leadership would get into the business as discussions on various national and international issues have been slated for the event.

After price rise, a resolution extending solidarity with the people in Palestine would be introduced that would be followed by discussions on economic policies adopted by the United Progressive Alliance coalition and the moves to make the country a strategic ally of the United States. The meeting is expected to witness heated debates on the Telangana issue that had been incorporated in the draft political resolution as a section of the party leaders from the State are opposed to it.

The meeting would also feature seminars in agricultural situation and economic woes of farmers to be attended by eminent agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan on March 24 while another seminar on ‘Socialism in 21st century’ would be held on March 26. Representatives of communist parties from 26 countries, including Palestine, would attend the Congress.

Mr. Bardhan received ‘jathas’ (rallies) that started from four different corners of Andhra Pradesh on March 15. Led by the women, the trade union, the farmer and the youth wings of the CPI, the ‘jathas’ arrived here amid a heavy downpour and presented party flags to the general secretary.

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