The All India Agricultural Rural Labour Association (AIARLA) organized a State level convention in Tamil Nadu on 12 September 2016 at Com. Subbu Hall in Villupuram. Com. Subbu was a popular kisan leader who was killed in 1994 by feudal goons in Tirunelveli district, the same district where Com. Mariappan was recently killed by casteist-communal forces. The convention started with tributes paid to Com. Swapan Mukherjee after which two minutes’ silence was observed in memory of Com. Swapan, Com. Mariappan and all other martyrs and departed leaders.
About 300 rural workers from different districts in the State participated in the convention which was presided over by AIARLA Deputy General Secretary Com. M. Venkatesan. The convention was addressed by AIARLA General Secretary Com. Janakiraman, AIPF National Council member Com. R Vidyasagar, AIARLA National Vice President Com. Balasundaram, and CPI(ML) State Secretary Com. S Kumaraswamy. The speakers recollected the contribution of Com. Swapan Mukherjee to the cause of the revolutionary struggles of workers and rural poor. Com. Kumaraswamy spoke of the political significance of the agitation for homestead land and housing in the struggle of rural workers.
The convention resolved to carry forward the campaign demanding homestead land and housing as one of the main demands of the rural workers. As a first step, the convention decided to join with AICCTU in conducting a signature campaign to get 10 lakh signatures for this demand, along with other pro-people demands. The convention strongly condemned the Modi government for creating a flagrant situation in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the Cauvery water-sharing dispute, and demanded that this dispute be speedily resolved.
The convention was followed by a meeting of the AIARLA state council. The procedures of the council meeting were conducted by Comrades Ilangovan, Susheela, Rajangam, Bharati, and Sigamani. Com. Janakiraman presented an overview of the discussion. The council meeting unanimously elected Com. Balasundaram as President of the AIARLA Tamil Nadu State unit, a post which had fallen vacant due to the demise of former President Com. TKS Janardanan. In his concluding address Com. Balasundaram called on AIARLA activists to strengthen the efforts to further develop the energetic struggles of the rural poor.
