AIPF in Uttarakhand
A meeting of people, organizations, and parties fighting for various issues was held on 15 January 2019 at Bageshwar and it was decided to bring together all such fighting forces in Uttarakhand under the banner of AIPF, the forum for countrywide struggles.
Addressing the meeting, AIPF National Convener Girija Pathak said that it is necessary to fight the anti-people fascist regime which came to power in 2014. AIPF has prepared a Citizens’ Charter which will be released at the National Convention to be held in Delhi on 16-17 February.
Leaders of Gairsain Rajdhani Sangharsh Samiti attended the meet where they said that local issues also have a national perspective. For instance, the dire state of education and health, and the land grab campaign are burning issues in Uttarakhand and also on the national level. A forum like AIPF is necessary in order to raise local issues at the national level and forge a unity at the action level. Senior Journalist Dinesh Juyal said that the fight of pro-people forces is against two big giants, BJP and Congress; therefore it is very necessary to unite the people under one big umbrella.
Senior journalist Yogesh Bhatt stressed on the need for solidarity with people’s issues and agitations going on in the State and to challenge anti-people forces politically. Editor of Nainital Samachar and Executive President of Uttarakhand Lokvahini Rajiv Lochan Sah emphasised on people’s unity to collectively oppose anti-people policies. Uttarakhand Parivartan Party President PC Tiwari focussed on the need to launch statewide struggles against the land loot campaigns by both BJP and Congress in Uttarakhand as well as other repressive actions rampant in the State. Binsar Andolan leader Ishwar Joshi welcomed the unity of fighting forces under AIPF.
A Convening Committee comprising Indresh Maikhuri, Charu Tiwari, Rajiv Lochan Sah, PC Tiwari, Ishwar Joshi and Pradeep Sati was elected after which a march to the banks of the Sarayu river was held to participate in a meeting organized by the Anti-Development Authority Front.
