Social tasks must be taken by Leftists: Manik Sarkar

Agartala, Oct 17 (IANS) Only talks and stirs will not broaden and grip the base of the Communists, Leftists must engage in social tasks like arranging weddings of poor girls, funeral duties and aid to ailing public, CPI-M leader and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said here on Monday.

"Only speech, struggle for revolution, agitation on various issues would not broaden the base and grip of the Communists in India. Communist party members must undertake social responsibilities like organising wedding of poor girls, funeral duties and help ailing public," Sarkar said.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion of the 97th foundation day of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Sarkar said the party members should mixup with the common masses like fish stay in the water despite various vulnerabilities.

"In the 21st party congress (held in Visakhapatnam from April 14-19 last year) and the Kolkata party plenum (held from December 27-31 last year), the party has modified the organisational works.

"The party members must listen and know the problems of people and try to sort them out at the earliest with all sincerity," the CPI-M politburo member said.

He said the CPI-M members should deal with twin challenges of economic exploitation and social oppression which were affecting all aspects of social and political spheres of the country.

"Communist party must be in the central stream of the country. It should struggle against the incomplete freedom of India."

Criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government, Tripura Chief Minister said the present government is trying to make the states beggars and obtain all power in its hands.

"When the global bodies are saying the GDP of the country is 4.2, the BJP led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) at the Centre is falsely claiming the GDP is 7.5. Everyday, 550 to 600 people are losing jobs in the country."

In his 72-minute speech in Bengali, Sarkar said the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had worked against Indian freedom movement and assisted the British rulers.

"Now the same RSS is running the central government through the BJP."

The CPI-M leader said the Left Front government in Tripura is not getting any help from the Centre and the union government is curtailing the due financial assistance to the state.

"We do not claim that Tripura's Left Front government resolved all problems. Here deficiencies exist, here are unfinished works, and here is scarcity. However, we have shown something alternative model before the country and these are recognised by many people," Sarkar added.