Volume 2, No. 4-5, April-May 2001

 Report of the 9th Congress of the CPI (ML) [People's War]

(CPI(ML) [People's war] has Conducted it's 9th Congress amidst severe state repression. Our office has received reports and photographs of this historical event. We have also received the inaugural address of the secretary CPI(M-L)[PW] and messages delivered by CPN(Maoist) and TKP/ML representatives at the Congress site, a message send by CPP to CPI(M/L)[PW] and PGA activities with a request to publish the same. We are publishing the text considering its paramount importance. Hope the readers will appreciate if — Editor )

March 4, 2001 was a historic day for the Indian people. On this day the vanguard of the Indian Proletariat, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) [People’s War] begun its 9th (2nd) Congress. The Congress was held after a gap of 31 years. After the 8th (1st) Congress of the Party, held in 1970, under the leadership of Com. Charu Mazumdar, the Party has regained and surpassed its earlier strength, spread to 10 states of the country, and gained much experience, cementing the unity of two major M-L parties in the country — the CPI(ML)(PW) and the CPI(ML)(Party Unity).

On this day, sixty delegates representing thousands of Party Members from ten states of the country, and two fraternal delegates from Nepal and Turkey gathered at the Coms. Shyam-Mahesh-Murali Commune, somewhere deep in a struggle zone of India. In the midst of severe repression, inspite of combing operations, the Congress concluded successfully on March 22, 2001 with the election of a new Central Committee.

The 9th Congress was an important turning point in the revolutionary movement in India, taking place in the wake of the recent formation of the People's Guerrilla Army (PGA). It was, in fact the culmination of nearly two years preparation throughout the Party, which began with the preparation of developing the major documents by the then Central Committee (Provisional).

Preparations for the 9th Congress

As this Congress was being held over three decades '10cr us last Congress (8th), detailed preparations were made of the basic documents of the Party. The 9th Congress did not merely uphold the basic tenets of the 8th Congress, it also developed and enriched the line propounded, in a rudimentary form, at the time of the inception of the CPI(ML). The CC(P) had prepared and developed drafts of the amended original Programme and Constitution: a Political Resolution that analysed the current countrywide and international situation, an updated Strategy & Tactics document, based on the summing up of the past thirty years' experience (and which included the main tenets of the military line); a Political & Organisational Review (POR), based mainly on the summing up of the past five years' experience of the erstwhile CPI(ML)(People's War), since the holding of their Special Conference, and mainly, the three years' experience of the erstwhile CPI(ML)(Party Unity), since the holding of their Conference: and a Financial Policy.

These documents, except for the POR. were prepared by the CC(P) well in advance, while the POR was circulated in August 2000, on the eve of the State Conferences. All the documents were translated into the regional languages, and distributed throughout the Party, to every member. Discussions, study sessions and meetings were conducted throughout the Party. Notes on different political issues of debate in the Congress were circulated. After detailed discussions in a number of places area-level conferences were held, followed by 19 district/divisional level conferences throughout the country, three Regional Conferences and 10 State-level Conferences. The duration of these Conferences varied from 5 to 15 days. Through these Conferences hundreds of amendments were passed on to the CC(P). In addition, each State and Special Zone produced its own Political & Organisational Review, pinpointing major areas of weakness, the methods to reduce them and plans for advance. Together with these, the Central POR was presented at the state conferences. The latter sought to gear the entire Party, armed forces and mass organisations for advancing the people's war.

The Commune

After the arrival of the delegates to the commune ten days were spent in preparations: amendments to the various documents were processed and distributed by the CC(P) to the delegates for study; two notes submitted by the Karnataka and Tamilnadu delegates, regarding our political and military line and a reply of CC(P) to those were distributed to the delegates: and delegates exchanged information on reports from different areas. Meanwhile, protection comrades set up the Com. Johar library, which contained a number of magazines, books and reference material. A medical centre was set up, named Coms. Bhaskar Rao-Mallikarjun-Nirmal-Prasad hospital. A computer room was set up, called the 'Bhumkal Revolt Martyrs Press', that functioned day and night producing amendments, resolutions, notes for presentation at the Congress, translations, etc. A wall magazine was started called ‘Guerrilla Vani’ (Voice of the Guerrilla). which produced reports, satires, poems and even humorous remarks on the Congress. A new issue of the magazine appeared every two to three days, with articles written mainly in Telugu and also in Gondi, English and Hindi. Every evening cultural performances were given by the JNM (Jana Natya Mandali team) and the DK CNM (Chetana Natya Manch) team, and street plays put up by a DVC member. Every night video cassette shows were there of various conferences, the PGA formation, and other shootings of the movement; as also films on the Philippines movement, Charlie Chaplin films and other war films. Volleyball, badminton and chess were some of the other recreational activities at the camp.

Inauguration of the Congress

It was early morning on March 4, 2001. The entire camp including all 60 delegates and 150 PGA fighters had gathered at the Tallagudem martyrs' ground. The sentries, ofcourse did not leave their posts. Before the martyrs' column, stood the 150 PGA fighters in three rows. To the left of the column the delegates assembled statewise, in ten rows. In front of the gathering stood the general secretary of the Party, Com. Ganapathy; the erstwhile secretary of the PU and CCm, Com. N.Prasad and the two fraternal delegates from abroad — Com. Gaurav, Politbureau Member of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and Com. Okan, PB member of the Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist-Leninist. The memorial was built in the memory of the thousands of martyrs killed since the Party’s 8th Congress, by the tyranous state machinery and ruling class goons.

Com. Raviraj, platoon commander, called the entire gathering to attention. He called upon the general secretary to hoist the Party flag. Then the entire gathering saluted the red flag, while a song to the red flag was sung in Telugu. The gathering was then addressed by Corn. Ganapathy, the out-going general secretary, who explained the historic significance of the Congress (see Box).

Then Com. Basavaraj, CC member, on behalf of the central SCOMA (sub-committee on military affairs) hoisted the flag of the PGA — i.e. the red flag, with a gun superimposed on the hammer and sickle. He outlined the enormous significance of the formation of the PGA. founded on Dec.2, 2000. He outlined the importance of a People’s Army and the need for the speedy development of the main, secondary and basic (militia) forces of the PGA

After this speech, the memorial column was inaugurated by CC member Corn. N.Prasad and the entire gathering stood in two minutes silence, with guns inverted and caps in hand. He then gave a short speech about the thousands of martyrs who have laid down their lives since the 8th Congress and the need to follow in their path, for which they have laid down their lives.

The gathering was then addressed by Com. Gaurav of

the CPN(M). He sent fraternal greetings from his Party to the Congress, the PGA fighters and all those present at the gathering: He outlined the deep ties between the Maoist parties of the two countries. He said that the cultural commonality between the peoples of the two countries, the fraternal relations between the two Parties, similar political lines, and the fight against a common enemy in Indian Expansionism, have all helped cement the ties between the two parties.

Finally the gathering was addressed by Com. Okan of the TKP/ML. On behalf of the CC and the rank-and-file of the TKP/ML and fighters of the TIKKO (Liberation Army of the Workers and Peasants of Turkey), he sent red salutes to the CC(P) of the CPI(ML)(PW). Congress delegates. the representative of the CPN(M), and commanders and fighters of the PGA. He said, that ‘your fight is our fight’. He added that you should never forget that you have comrades in Turkey and Turkish Kurdistan, who are fighting a common enemy in imperialism.

The Communist party of Phillipines, was unable to send their representative due to unavoidable circumstances, but sent a fraternal message to the Congress.

Finally, the meeting converted into a rally to the Com. Charu Mazumdar hall, at which the Congress delegates were to hold their sessions. The entire area resounded with slogans in several languages: ‘Advance to build base areas’, ‘Long live Marxism-Leninism-Maoism', 'Long live world proletarian revolution', ‘Destroy non-­proletarian trends in the Party’, etc. and revolutionary songs. With the inaugural function over, a sweet called 7-cups, made by the PGA fighters, was distributed to all.

The Congress Delegate Session

The Congress began with the formal introduction of each delegate. Com. Ramji of the out-going CC(P) introduced each delegate with a brief history. After that a five-member presidium was elected to conduct the proceedings of the Congress. The out-going CC(P) acted as the steering committee to guide the discussions. This was followed by messages from the fraternal parties of the CPN(M) and the TKP/ML (see extracts of speeches on pages 12 to 14).

After serious and lengthy discussions the Congress adopted the following documents: (1) Programme (2) Constitution (3) Strategy & Tactics (4) Political Resolution (5) Political & Organisational Review (POR) and the (6) Financial Policy.

The CC(P) processed the amendments of the lower conferences as well as those proposed by individual delegates. The amendments accepted were then circulated to all delegates. While all amendments were before the house. the discussions were focussed on the major and crucial questions of debate. Though differences at times were sharp, the discussions and arguments were only part of the dialectical process of achieving greater ideological-political unity.

The Congress firmly upheld the revolutionary line of the 1970 Programme. The Congress enriched and rectified the Party Programme in order that it reflected the developments and changes in the international and country-wide situation over the past three decades.

The Congress firmly asserted the guiding ideology of the Party as Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. Though the Congress affirmed that the earlier term used, Mao Tsetung Thought had also affirmed it as a third and higher stage in the development of Marxism; it felt that the term Maoism was more scientific. Besides, it felt that the term Maoism would be more apt as it would now clearly demarcate the Party from some revisionist groups and so-called ML parties who use the term Mao Tsetung Thought to deny its universal significance. The party constitution was enriched and finalised on the basis of the growing needs of the movement.

The Political & Organisational Review (POR), summed up the experience of the two merged parties-since 1995 for the erstwhile PW, and since 1997 for the erstwhile PU. Where necessary, it also analysed the earlier practice and enhanced the understanding of the party' on certain questions. The POR, placed at the centre of work, the advancing of people's war throughout the country. The POR sought to gear the entire Party, the PGA and the mass organisations for the people's war. The Congress identified the principal weaknesses in the Party and called for a rectification of the non-proletarian trends which have raised their head. In the process of evaluating the military line of the Party the POR enhanced need the understanding regarding the link between guerrilla zones and the base area, the key role of the PGA, and the relations between file three magic weapons in the process of protracted people's war in the concrete conditions of India. Ii clearly stated that the guerrilla zone is a transitional phase in the formation of Base Areas. It also added that the process of building base areas will begin with the establishment of guerrilla bases. In these Guerrilla Bases the new power will get established in an embryonic form. Guerrilla Bases would be established in those parts of the Guerrilla Zone which have an advantageous terrain and a strong mass base.

The Congress also reviewed the lacunae in the development of work amongst the working class. This has been reflected in a distancing of the Party' from working class struggles, and to some extent a lack of emphasis on the leadership role of the working class, or understanding it merely as limited to the leadership of working class ideology and politics through the Party. The Congress strongly resolved to remedy the situation. mobilise the working class, particularly on anti-­imperialist/anti-state issues, and send detachments of the advanced workers to organise the movement in the countryside.

The Congress/POR also reviewed the short-comings of the work amongst women and resolved to intensify the work, increase their participation in the Party and PGA, and encourage more women comrades to take a greater leading role in both the Party and PGA. It further vowed to struggle against all manifestations of patriarchy in the Party, mass organisations and people’s army.

The S&T document adopted by the Congress reflected the rich experience of the Party in waging the protracted people's war in the last thirty years. It updated the class analysis of Indian society. The S&T document summed up the military line of the Party and applied Maoist principles of protracted people's war to the particularity' of India.

The Congress recognised the necessity to further speed up the process of unification of communist revolutionaries. Though the unification of the erstwhile PW and PU into a single Party in August 1998 was an important landmark in the unification process, other genuine revolutionary forces remained to be united. The largest of these is the MCC, which had intensified its physical attacks on the PW after its merger with PU, and ignored the repeated appeals for discussion. The Congress concluded that, although there is no immediate possibility of unity with the MCC, talks should be held with them, the Party should strive to maintain fraternal relations and wage united struggles with them against the Indian State. Yet, it should expose their sectarian and dogmatic politics while keeping the option open for unity with them in the future.

The Congress took note of the shortcomings in fulfilling the Party's proletarian internationalist responsibilities and resolved to overcome these weaknesses and play a more responsible role in the International Communist Movement.

Concretely it decided to

a) Conduct more international programmes jointly with the Communist Party of Peru (PCP),

Communist Party of Philippines (CPP), Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist-Leninist

(TKPJNW), Communist party of Nepal (Maoist)­CPN(M), and other genuine Maoist parties of the world.

b) Strive to wage anti-imperialist struggles world wide, particularly against the exploitation of the

world people by American imperialism, by joining hands with all anti-imperialist forces. with the Marxist-Leninist-Maoist forces as the vanguard.

c) Contribute actively to bring out Vanguard {magazine brought out jointly by the CPP, TKP/ML and CPI(ML)[PW]} effectively with extensive reports on the revolutionary fighting forces in the world, with a focus on the Maoist people's wars.

The Congress also adopted a political resolution which summed up the political developments at the international and domestic level. It pointed out that though the US superpower has been weakened, it remains the number one enemy of the world people. It also analysed the intensifying inter-imperialist contradictions, and the growing struggles of the world people against imperialist policies. It also focussed on the instability of the ruling classes in India due to their deepening crisis. It also analysed the tightening stranglehold of imperialism, and the disaterous impact of the new economic policies on the life of the people. It also alerted the people to the danger of hindu fascism.

The PR also defined this as the era of "imperialism and proletarian revolution” with the storm centres being in the oppressed countries of the world. The Congress decided that the principal contradiction at the world level is that between imperialism and the oppressed nations and people.

The Congress also passed the financial policy which gives guidelines on the economic and financial aspects of the Party's activities, its sources of funds and its expenditure.

A resolution was adopted on the CPC which dealt with the GPCR and the restoration of capitalism in China. The resolution stated that capitalism was restored after the seizure of power by the Hua-Deng clique. It up held Mao’s important contribution 10 the Marxist arsenal of continuing the revolution under the dictatorship of the proletariat. It hailed the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and portrayed the role played by the so-called Gang of Four as being revolutionary. It condemned the role of Lin Piao and his ultra4eft line during the GPCR.

The Congress also passed a resolution upholding the self-critical review of 1980 as a historical document. This document reviewed the history of the set back of the CPI(ML) in the early I 970s and showed the path forward.

Finally the Congress also passed several resolutions concerning revolutionary martyrs, extending solidarity to the hundred of comrades incarcerated in the enemy's prisons, support to the national liberation struggles being waged in our country, support to the struggles of the working class all over the world, support to the struggles of the oppressed nations against imperialism, calling for the release of Com. Gonzalo and Feliciano, hailing the revolutionary struggles being led by Maoists in Peru, Phillipines. Nepal and Turkey, condemning Indian expansionism etc etc.

The last session of the Congress was a lengthy session on self-criticism and criticism of the out going CC members and the election of a new CC. The CC elected the new General Secretary and announced it to the House. Before the formal end of the Congress the two fraternal delegates from the CPN(M) and the TKP/ML gave their observations and critical comments on the proceedings which they had attentively followed. Both hailed the major decisions of the Congress and also stated their observations in the true spirit of proletarian internationalism.

Concluding Ceremony

After 17 days of fervent debate, the Congress finally ended on March 21st. On the early morning of March 22 the entire camp gathered before the martyrs' memorial on the Tallagudem martyrs' ground. The Party; flag had been flying during the entire course of the Congress.

The gathering was first addressed by a SC member, who, on behalf of the Organising Committee (of the entire commune) gave red salutes to the Congress delegates for the successful conclusion of the historic 9th Congress of the Party. Re then went on to give red salutes to all the comrades present, who had contributed in making the Congress a big success. He particularly acknowledged the role of the protection comrades of the PGA for their tireless efforts in protecting the venue from enemy attacks. He also acknowledged the role of those comrades who carried the vast quantities of food materials that fed the camp of 250 comrades for am entire month. He farther acknowledged the role of the kitchen comrades who provided good and timely food under the most difficult conditions. He also acknowledged the tireless efforts of the medical team who treated the sick. Finally, he acknowledged the editorial team of ‘Guerrilla Vani', the cultural team comrades, and all comrades and the neighbouring villagers who helped in every small way in making the Congress a great success.

The gathering was then addressed by the newly elected general secretary, in which he outlined the major decisions of the Congress. He once again, on behalf of the newly elected Central Committee, gave revolutionary salutes to all comrades for their efforts which permitted the delegates to concentrate on the political matters being discussed. He particularly saluted the comrades who produced the decorations, the detachments of the PGA, the press, medical, electricity, communication teams, the DVC, SZC members and the local guerrillas and the villager of the neighbouring village who assisted and protected the Congress venue, day and night.

In his speech, Com. Ganapathy outlined the major achievements of the Congress as under

*    Having studied the concept of Mao Tsetung Thought with greater depth, the Congress accepted Marxism-­Leninism-Maoism as the ideological basis of the Party.

*    The Congress accepted the contradiction between the comprador bureaucrat bourgeoisie and the people as a fundamental contradiction in the country.

*    The original 1970 Party' Constitution, which had already been enriched iii the course of various plenums and conferences over the years, was adopted with further developments.

*    Through the discussions at the Congress, the Party reached much greater clarity on questions of the PGA, guerrilla zones and base areas.

*    It identified the major short-comings in the Party as subjectivism, spontaneity, liberalism, economism and pragmatism, together 'with aspects of patriarchy and bureaucracy. It vowed to cleanse the Party of these non-proletarian trends through a rectification movement.

*    Finally the Congress outlined the main political tasks as follows : -

(a)  Advance and intensity the people's war countrywide; strengthen the PGA and work to develop Guerrilla Zones into Base Areas.

(b)  Unite all forces against the imperialist offensive in the country and against the 'New Economic Policies' being adopted in the name of globalisation.

(c)  Unite all forces against Hindu Fascism.

(d)  Resist and defeat the State repression with armed retaliation, and through the mobilisation of all democratic forces.

(e) Unite with all the oppressed people of South Asia,  to  fight  Indian expansionism.

(f)   Ally with all the oppressed people of the world. to fight imperialism, particularly US imperialism-the number one enemy of the world people.

Finally, the Congress concluded with the singing of the Internationale in a number of regional languages, Nepalese and Turkish simultaneously, and the lowering of the flag.

The 9th Congress was a major achievement of the communist movement in India. The Congress not only consolidated the party organisationally and politically but also unified the party at a higher level. The Party is now, ever more than before, prepared to face the challenges of advancing the people's war. It is confident of overcoming all the obstacles, defeating the enemy on every front and successfully advancing the New Democratic Revolution towards victory and thereafter proceeding firmly towards establishing a socialist and communist society.

The delegates departed, conscious of the historic responsibility placed upon them by the Congress, determined to fulfill the tasks set before them, brimming with confidence in the future of the revolution.

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