The 16th national Conference of the Association of Indian Communists GB (AIC) has provided new confidence and determination to advance the priorities concluded at the conference and the key tasks of the 20th Congress of the CPI (M).The 55 delegates, 8 observers and 2 guests, representing 13 of the 15 units of the AIC across Britain and Ireland assembled in Leicester at the Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet Hall.
The conference organised post the 20th Congress took the opportunity to receive a report on the International and national developments from Comrade Sitaram Yechury MP, member of the Polit Bureau of the CPI (M) and editor of Peoples Democracy.Comrade Yechury made key interventions in guiding the debate of the conference and provided a detailed analysis of the global crisis of capitalism. “This has resoundingly vindicated the CPI (M)’s Marxist-Leninist understanding that capitalism can never be a system free from either human exploitation or crises.” He went on to outline the alternative to the crisis in India, by strengthening the left and democratic forces. Yechury explained the need to challenge the ideological onslaught by Imperialism over the last two decades in their failed tirades against Marxism and Leninism.
He called for the strengthening of the Left and democratic forces through militant struggles combining social oppression and economic issues. ”We need to take these two in combination simultaneously to advance the class struggle in India” in parliamentary and extra parliamentary activities. The serious issues effecting Dalits should not be left to the bourgeoisie parties to exploit for narrow political gains. He warned of the divisive nature of identity politics.He also called for the strengthening the worker-peasant alliance and defeat the aspiration of communalism from disrupting the unity of the working class on which we can base transformation. To overthrow the capitalist system of exploitation and build a Left and Democratic alternative will require an increase in the independent influence and strength of the working class and its organisation.

38 delegates took part in the discussion over the two days (23-24 June) enriching the report of the Executive Committee based on their experiences.
38 delegates took part in the discussion over the two days (23-24 June) enriching the report of the Executive Committee based on their experiences. The EC report was presented by Harsev Bains due to the ill health of the Secretary of the AIC Comrade Avtar Sadiq.The 16th conference endorsed the call to organise Ghadar Party and Com., Sunderaya centenary celebrations.The delegates paid glowing tributes to Comrade Prakash Karat the General Secretary of CPI (M) for his momentous tour of Britain in engaging with all the units. It noted with pride the ideological intervention by Comrade Sitaram Yechury and the catalyst effect of his visit to Cambridge for expanding the base of the AIC.
The inspirational tour by Comrade MA Baby in the first week of June, drawing new cadre to the AIC totally galvanised the conference. The new members mainly from the sunny shores of Kerala united on one platform as members of the AIC, to promote the policies and programme of the CPI (M).The problems of employment, Trade Union representation, racial discrimination, racist immigration laws and the poor support and service received from the Indian High Commission and its consulates would be taken up by the Indian Workers’ Association GB.
The Conference endorsed the call given at the Public Rally by Com. Robert Griffiths, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Britain to jointly mobilise for the largest manifestation of people opposed to the austerity measures of the unelected Con –Dem government on 20th October in London.The AIC will support the formation of a student’s organisation to address the multifaceted problems facing especially foreign students in Britain. All other youth issues will be progressed through the IWA.
The formation of cultural front to provide a democratic, progressive and secular alternative to the barbaric culture of imperialism will become a key aim for the AIC. The newly elected Executive Committee will discuss the mechanisms of building on the traditions of the Progressive Writers Association and Chethana UK,art lovers association.
The AIC has committed the EC to encourage all its units to form branches of the Association of Indian Women and increase the number of female delegates to the conference.The conference elected a new Executive committee and endorsed the report unanimously.The delegates welcomed the newly elected Executive Committee and the new Secretary Harsev Bains.
The 16th Conference of the Association of Indian Communists drew to a close full of confidence and determination to discharge the tasks and responsibilities for the next three years.Comrade Sitaram Yechury officially launched the new web site of the AIC providing a portal gateway for a socialist platform: www.indobrit.org