Dec 30: The Mumbai unit of the Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat (HMKP) today announced the severing of its ties with the George Fernandes-led Samata Party (SP).Declaring the long-expected move -- in the wake of SP alliance with BJP -- at a press conference, HMKP general secretary Sharad Rao said he, along with his colleagues Mahabal Shetty, Shankar Salvi, Digambar Satav and Juned Faruki have quit their primary membership of the Samata Party and also resigned from their respective posts in the HMKP.
Rao had announced plans to contest the coming general elections from the labour class dominated South Central Mumbai parliamentary constituency as an HMKP candidate with the help of the United Front.
The labour leader clarified that the move did not mean that the Mumbai unit will disregard Fernandes as the president of the HMKP. ``George Fernandes has earned a name for himself by working for the workers' welfare throughout his life. Our opposition to SP is solely based on factors that are prevalent in Mumbai andit will now be a symbolic fight of the working class against the oppressive Sena-BJP government in the state,'' Rao said.
``Remaining under the banner of an SP-BJP alliance in Mumbai would defeat the purpose of trade unions' fight against the anti-labour Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra,'' Rao explained.
``In fact, Samata Party had earlier passed two resolutions to join hands with the United Front to fight the Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra, and so our decision of politically de-linking with it under the present circumstances is justified,'' he maintained. Rao hoped that this move will not create any rifts within the HMKP.
Rao pointed out that, time and again the Sena-BJP government had tried to break the unity of workers in Mumbai. ``The stir by BMC employees on the bonus issue, the Konkan Railway agitation, and all other labour movements in the state during the Sena-BJP rule have not just been handled in a high-handed manner, but the state has used unfair tactics to break trade unions,''
Rao said.
Launching a scathing attack on the government, Rao said it was doing nothing to investigate into the dubious sale of mill lands and was trying to hush up the murder of trade union leader Dr Datta Samant. ``Surveys during real estate boom in Mumbai have shown that only 20,000 flats have been constructed in a year, but the Sena-BJP is still toying with the foolhardy idea of the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme,'' Rao said.
``A Zunka Bhakar stall owner can run his business in a 120 square feet plot on BMC land, and is still required to pay a rent of Rs 500 per month, which amounts to just Rs 1.25 per day. But a hawker who is allowed to have only 3x3 ft area has to pay Rs 15 per day. If same rates are applied to the stalls, then its monthly rent would come to Rs 6,000. Who is the government trying to fool?'' Rao asked.
He maintained that the decision to break away from the Samata Party was taken unanimously by all leaders of HMKP (Mumbai) and conveyed to Fernandes, who after initial reluctance gave in
to their stand.
Rao has already been assured support by the Kamgar Agadhi and is trying to convince other parties including Samajwadi Party and Republican Party of India to support the HMKP.
``Earlier we had Dr Samant, but now the labour class in Mumbai have no one to fight for their rights. I first met Dada Samant, and he agreed with our decision and also assured full backing of the Kamgar Agadhi. With the constituency being dominated by the working class, I am quite confidant of winning the seat,'' Rao said.
Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
