KOLKATA: IN the second half of
November, 113 mass organisations will conduct a statewide intensive campaign on
peoples’ issues. These organisations, representing all sections of people
including peasants, workers, employees, teachers, students, youth, and women
have formed Bengal Platform of Mass Organisations (BPMO) from a public
convention in Rani Rasmoni Avenue in Kolkata on September 28. This is the
widest ever mobilisation of mass organisations on a united platform in the
state.
After the festivals, these
organisations have organised joint conventions at every level where the charter
of demands was explained and preparatory work for the massive campaign was
finalised. There will be statewide booth-level marches or jathas from November
14-22. These marches will cover 77,000 booths in state, making it the biggest
ever campaign programme. The marchers will comprise representatives of all mass
organisations active in the respective areas. The marchers will explain the
demands and the political situation in the state. There will be at least 50
steady volunteers in the block, ward level jathas who will walk all along the
way. One of the features will be participation of cultural workers who will
raise the demands through performances. There will be public meetings at the
conclusion of jathas. In the rural areas, the volunteers and leaders will stay
at villagers’ homes at night.
But this will not be a
campaign by political workers alone. Intensive door-to-door to campaign will be
conducted to mobilise as many people as possible. There will be interaction
with people at every level.
In the prevailing situation of
the state, these jathas will raise the voice for restoration of democracy in
the state. The voice will be raised against divisive activities of the communal
forces, who are trying to spread their network in the state.
15 point charter of demands
includes the burning problems of the peasants and agricultural workers. They
are suffering from loss of produces, distress sale, lack of work culminating in
extreme misery unheard for three decades. Demand to open closed factories,
administrative intervention to save tea garden workers, safeguarding casual
workers will be raised. The entire state is witnessing growing unemployment and
no industrial investment has come through in the last four years. The demand
for employment and corruption-free recruitment in teachers’ posts will be
raised. The jathas will also demand security for women, defending public
distribution system, reduction of exorbitant power charges etc.
Peoples Democracy, November 8, 2015
