BJP LIKELY TO FAN DIVISIVE FLAMES IN BIHAR

Comrade Sitaram Yechury, General Secretary, CPI(M) today expressed his fear that the BJP government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi might fan the flames of fundamentalism and deploy divisive tactics to garner Hindu votes in the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections. He was addressing a gathering at Bundala Manjhki in Jalandhar district, Punjab, on the occasion of the 7th death anniversary of world renowned communist leader Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet, former General Secretary of CPI(M).

“The BJP for its own interests is trying hard to divide the people on caste and communal lines ever since the Narendra Modi government came to power,” Com.Yechury said. He gave examples of how BJP MPs and ministers like Giri Raj Kishore, Sadhvi NiranjanJyoti, Yogi Aditya Nath, etc. were spewing venom.

Expressing serious concern at the increasing economic gap between rich and poor due to the policies of liberalization and globalization,he said that in India, the monthly income of 90% of families is less than Rs. 10,000 per month whereas 100 families in India own Rs.65 thousand crores, which is roughly half of the country’s GDP.

Com. Yechury disclosed that a series of programs will be held this year by the CPI(M) to mark the birth centenary of Com. Surjeet. These include an International Seminar, opening of de-addiction centres, campaign against drug addiction, awareness campaign about freedom movement, etc.

Recalling the role of Com.Surjeet in the freedom struggle, Com. Yechury said that he was a fearless freedom fighter and patriot who removed the Union Jack from Hoshiarpur Collector’s office at the tender age of 16 and remained in jail for many years.

“He played a vital role in the fight against militancy in Punjab during which more than 200 comrades of the CPI(M) sacrificed their lives in defense of the people and the nation,” he said.

Comrades Charan Singh Virdi, Secretary, Punjab State Committee, CPI(M) , Vijay Misra, CCM , CPI(M), Raghunath Singh State Secretariat member, CPI(M) , Hardev Arshi, State Secretary, CPI, Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, Vice President, Akali Dal and many other leaders addressed the gathering. Comrade Gurchetan Singh Bassi, State Secretariat Member, CPI(M) presided over the function.

Earlier, a large number of young comrades received Com. Yechury at the outskirts of Jandiala village and accompanied him to the venue of the function on motor cycles, waving party flags and raising slogans. Comrade Yechury hoisted the Party Flag amid thundering slogans of CPI(M) Zindabad and Comrade Surjeet Amar Rahe.