Kolkata: CPI(M) farmers` wing Paschim Banga
Pradeshik Krishak Sabha has seen a decline in its membership
since the 15th Lok Sabha elections, the organisation admitted on Sunday.
"Last year, the membership was 1.59 crore. This year, it
is 1.37 crore," Krishak Sabha state president Madan Ghosh and
secretary Tarun Roy said at a press conference after the
organisation`s two-day state committee meeting.
Denying that the decline was due to farmers` opposition
to the state government`s land acquisition policy, Ghosh
attributed it to the post-poll violence allegedly by Trinamool
Congress and the Maoists against the Krishak Sabha members.
The situation, however, was looking up for the Krishak
Sabha, Ghosh said, expressing confidence that the membership
figure would rise this year.
He said the Sabha would observe its 75th Foundation Day
on April 11 through a series of programmes all over the state,
barring the Maoist-dominated districts.
Besides, it would also hold state-wide campaigns against
the Centre`s economic policies, reduction of fertiliser
subsidies and Maoist violence against Krishak Sabha members.
Ghosh said the outfit`s activists would picket central
government offices on April 8 in response to the law-violation
call given by the four major Left parties on various issues.
Political camps would be organised to train Sabha
members, he said, adding a sub-committee has been formed for
the purpose.
PTI
