Dated: 16.3.2009
Press Release
Unity of the Left and Democratic force:
The only alternative for the oppressed people of Gujarat.
The 15th loksabha election to be held in April/May 2009 appears to be turning into a fight between the “national parties” like INC and BJP on one hand and the regional parties on the other hand. This apparent conflict reflects the contradiction between the big bourgeoisie who want to control the centre and wield their power across the country and the newly emerging regional business inetersts.
Unlike the east coast States, where the regional political parties wield power, the politics in the States in the western India, like Maharashtra and Gujarat is dominated by the “national parties” like INC or BJP. In this conflict between the regional business and big industrial houses, where do the working people, poor farmers, adivasis and the minorities go? In the States where the regional parties have roots, the marginalized classes ordinarily end up supporting the regional parties hoping to get some mileage out of the contradiction between the State and the Centre. In this process, the regional party also gets strengthened.
The situation however becomes very difficult for the marginalized classes where the State politics is dominated by either INC or BJP. In absence of any alternative political force, the marginal classes drift listlessly responding to emotive propagandas of the ruling classes. Gujarat is typically one such State where the working people could be completely divided in communal lines and made to hate and kill each other. The result is there for all to see. Gujarat has become a State where the entire administration and law bend backwards to accommodate the rich at the cost of the poor.
Under these circumstances, the working people, poor farmers, adivasis and minorities and even small business have to chart out their own path and create their own political basis to defend their interest. The big business will never allow any regional party from another State to get their roots in the soil of Gujarat. The only political forces that can undertake this task in this era of Globalization are the left and democratic forces.
On 17th March, 2009 therefore, several organizations like New Socialist Movement, Lok Sangharsh Morchawould be holding a joint rally to declare their intention to forge a long term unity to represent the interests of the marginalized classes.
Ambrish Rai
President, LSM
Mukul Sinha
Chairman, NSM
