Rohit Kumar
Sri Vijaya Puram, 11 December 2024
The Middle Andaman Area Conference of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M)) was held on 8th December 2024 at the Shivapuram Community Hall in Middle Andaman. The event commenced with a flag hoisting ceremony by the senior-most party member present, G. Gopinathan, followed by floral tributes to martyrs at the Martyrs Memorial Column erected at the conference venue.
D. Ayyappan, the State Secretary of CPI (M) Andaman & Nicobar, inaugurated the conference. In his address, Ayyappan expressed grave concerns about the ongoing global conflicts, emphasizing the alleged threat posed by US-led imperialist forces. He highlighted the unresolved conflict between Israel and Palestine, the Russia-Ukraine war, and Israel’s actions against Lebanon and Iran.
Speaking about the national situation, Ayyappan criticized the BJP-led government’s policies, despite the BJP losing its majority on its own in the last Lok Sabha elections. He accused the BJP of continuing to follow anti-people policies, particularly in addressing issues such as price rises, unemployment, illiteracy, and malnutrition. Ayyappan condemned the government’s focus on religious division instead of finding solutions to these pressing issues. He also expressed concern over the increasing attacks on minorities across the country, asserting that CPI (M) is the only party actively opposing the BJP on this matter.
Turning to the local situation, Ayyappan lamented the BJP government’s failure to address key issues in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands over the past 10 ½ years. He pointed to rising unemployment and the lack of job-providing industries or institutions in the region, stressing that the central government has failed to improve the situation. Ayyappan announced that a two-day CPI (M) Andaman & Nicobar State Conference, scheduled for 28-29 December 2024, would devise a detailed plan to conduct agitations on people’s issues.
The conference also included a report on the party’s activities over the past three years, presented by SR Mridha, Secretary of the Middle Andaman Area Committee. Various resolutions addressing the demands of the people of Middle Andaman were discussed and adopted.
The proceedings of the conference were conducted by a presidium comprising Nikunjo Biswas and Rahul Dev Mridha. State Secretariat Members Nikunjo Biswas and Projit Kumar Sarkar also addressed the gathering, along with party members from different parts of Middle Andaman.
In the evening, a public meeting was organized at Betapur Saw Mill junction, presided over by Anand Rao. D. Ayyappan, Nikunjo Biswas, Projit Kumar Sarkar, PK Khalid, Rahul Dev Mridha, and SR Mridha addressed the public, further emphasizing the CPI (M)’s stance on the issues affecting both the country and the local community.