Following a two-day meeting, the CPI(M) Politburo has proposed to its central committee to hold the 22nd Party Congress in Hyderabad on April 18-22, 2018.

The congress, the highest decision-making platform of the Left party, is likely to address issues such as forming a broad-based platform against the Sangh Parivar.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury told reporters after the meeting that preparation of documents and the agenda to be considered at the congress had begun. He said the congress will hold a “concrete analysis of the concrete situation” in the country.

A statement of the Politburo said all the latest data coming in show that the economic slowdown has accelerated after demonetisation and the threat of recession is looming ahead.

“The estimated GDP growth in the first quarter of the current financial year is 5.7 per cent. The GDP growth rate has fallen four quarters in a row. The index of industrial production for this quarter shows a growth rate of only 1.8 per cent. Exports are stagnant; and the non-performing assets of nationalised banks has increased to ₹8.26 lakh crore at the end of June 2017 (without adding interest),” it said.

It also noted that the agrarian distress continues to deepen. “Unemployment is soaring across all sectors of the economy and the latest data in the services sector show a contraction of economic activity. The Modi government’s economic policies are proving to be disastrous for the country,” it added.

‘Belied’ expectations

On the Rohingya issue, it said expectations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to the Myanmar capital, would take up the issue of Rohingyas were belied.

“Unfortunately, the issue affecting lakhs of people in Myanmar, who in the face of widespread attacks in their country have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh and India in thousands, did not find place in the talks between the Prime Minister and the Myanmar leaders.

“The Government of India must treat this as a humanitarian issue and immediately take this up with Burma and Bangladesh to resolve this issue,” it added.

Opposition to NEET

On the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET), it said there are widespread protests in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere against the test. “Given the opposition to this mode of entrance tests from some States, especially from Tamil Nadu, which is seeking exemption, the Centre should consider the opinion of the Tamil Nadu people,” it added.

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