CPI(M) Karnataka State Conference

CPI(M) Karnataka State Conference Concludes
The CPI(M) Karnataka State Conference was held at Bangalore from 8th to 11th January 2015. It was attended by 268 delegates including 40 women. The conference venue was named after Com. R Umanath and dais after Com. Savaridas veteran comrade who led communist movement in Kolar Gold fields for decades.  The red flag was hoisted by 81-year old veteran comrade K R Sriyan, leader from Dakshina Kannada with distinguished record of over 5 decades of service in the communist movement. 
The Conference was inaugurated by SitaramYechury, PB member. After electing a presidium consisting of  K R Sriyan,  Varalaxmi, K Prakash and Siddagangappa, the report was presented by  G V Sreeramreddy, secretary of the state committee. He laid emphasis on expanding people’s struggles and building the organization while correcting organizational shortcomings. 71 delegates spoke in the discussion on the report.  The conference passed 31 resolutions on issues affecting the people of the state.  A 41-member state committee was elected by the  conference. 12delegates for 21st party Congress were also elected. The newly elected state committee re-elected  G V Sreeram reddy as Secretary. K R Sriyan desired to be relieved from State Committee and was given a warm farewell.
A big public meeting was held on 8th January at Freedom Park. Delegates and hundreds of Red Volunteers (both men and women) marched to the venue from the conference hall. SitaramYechury,  M A Baby and VJK Nair addressed the gathering.  Nine eminent progressive personalities were felicitated. Before the meeting started, the overflowing audience consisting of thousands of workers, peasants and party supporters were treated to variety of cultural performances including songs by a 50-member  children choir (to symbolize the Party’s golden jubilee), street plays and Dappu folk dance. 
A unique feature of this conference was the public programs held since 3 months before the conference. Eight major seminars, a weeklong street-play ‘Nam Kathe’ (Our Story) jatha with about 25 shows, a 5-day long cultural program near conference venue – these were some of the highlights of the campaign. At the cultural program venue, a poster exhibition on the history of the communist movement in the country and state was immensely popular. The exhibition was also released in book and video forms. A discussion was held on  two films “Bharat Stores’ (on ill-effect of FDI in retail) and “PK’. A poets’ meet and a discussion on ‘Education in Mother- tongue’ were also held.  Many eminent cultural personalities like GirishKarnad and hundreds of people participated in the programs daily. Over 1000 auto-rickshaws fitted with Party flags, Conference logo and posters were plying throughout the city creating a buzz of anticipation.
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