Left expresses doubts over SJM resolutions

By Ignatius Pereira

KOLLAM, JULY 9. Leaders of prominent Left parties spearheading the campaign against the economic policies of the Vajpayee Government have extended only a cautious welcome to the recent resolutions of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, against the new economic policies.

The Rashtriya Parishad (national council) of the SJM held on June 24 and 25 in Agra had adopted four resolutions against the economic policies of the Vajpayee Government. With a stress on the Swadeshi concept, the text and tenor of the resolutions were so critical of the economic policies that it smacked of left overtones.

Resolution marked No. 1 titled "Reverse disastrous economic policies" warns the Vajpayee Government of facing a "South-East Asia crisis by continuing with the suicidal economic policies" and questions the sincerity of commitments made by the National Democratic Alliance in its agenda for governance.

Resolution No. 2 is "A call against WTO" which cautions the Vajpayee Government of facing "severe anger and protest from the people" and calls upon the "patriotic people to force their representatives and the Government to work in national interest".

Resolution No. 3 marked "Save agriculture" calls upon the Government not to engage in the dollar game and that an agricultural policy should be declared as soon as possible in which national interest should be given priority over foreign pressure.

Resolution 4 states that "Despite repeated warnings the Government has been implementing anti-people and anti-national policies" and that the SJM considers it as its duty to oppose the increasing foreign influence over the country's economy. With an appeal to the Members of Parliament not to miss any opportunity to oppose the adverse economic policies so that the future generation and the voters may not have any chance to accuse them in future, the resolution also decided launching a mass awakening programme, a Swadeshi Week and a Salt Movement.

When asked for his reaction to the SJM proposals, the CITU State general secretary, Mr. K. N. Ravindranath, said that the SJM resolutions appeared to be an added strength to the fight launched by the Left parties against the new economic policies and that there was no harm in joining hands with the SJM provided the Swadeshi concept mentioned in the resolutions were aimed at sincerely and genuinely protecting the national economy.

Political, ideological and organisational differences should not be a stumbling block in putting up a joint fight against the new economic policies. In fact, the SJM opposition to the economic policies would only help in serving the cause of the CITU fight against the same.

He, at the same time, said that the SJM had not proved its sincerity in this regard at the required level in the past especially when the Insurance Bill was introduced in Parliament. Yet the resolutions reflected the nation-wide general mood of the working class against the economic policies of the Vajpayee-led NDA Government.

The State president of the pro-CPI All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Mr. C. A. Kurien, gave a firm "no" when asked whether his organisation was prepared to join hands with the SJM in the fight against the new economic policies.

He termed the SJM as an outfit opposed to trade union organisations and hence the AITUC would have to think twice when it comes to joining hands with such an organisation.

"Moreover the SJM will have to first demonstrate its loyalty in this regard", he said.

If the AITUC was convinced that these were not mere propaganda resolutions, then there would not be any harm in putting up a joint agitation, he said. However, the fact remained that the pro-Sangh Parivar Members of Parliament were also a party to the creation of the new economic policies, he added.

The RSP leader, Mr. N. K. Premachandran, MP, who is also a member of the party's Control Commission, while stating that he welcomed the resolutions said at the same time that his party strongly doubted the SJM sincerity in this regard. The Manch, he said, had earlier launched a campaign against foreign goods with much fanfare but soon dropped it midway and forgot about the same.

If the SJM was prepared to launch a strong fight against the NDA Government in this connection, the RSP would whole-heartedly join hands with the SJM. However, campaigns in the form of resolutions alone would not suffice, there should be action, he stressed.

The campaign should be taken even inside the Parliament. Is the SJM prepared for that? he asked. He said that the SJM resolutions appeared to be nothing beyond a reflection of the intra party fight within the BJP and that once those issues were settled, today's SJM position against the economic policies could even take a U-turn.

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Section  : Southern States
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