(Note taken from the speech delivered in a meeting–Publisher)
So far the method we had adopted was to restrict our work more or less among broad campaigning of our politics within the masses. Though the people generally supports our politics, soon the vicious thought of revisionist politics easily confuses them and the revisionists easily mislead them, as a result of which they are found to be hesitant in participating in revolutionary activities. Particularly, annihilation of class enemies by the peasants in the countryside gets hindered.
1. Naturally, now onwards our work in the countryside would be carried out in a little different method. That is, instead of targeting campaign among broad section of the landless and poor peasants, we will concentrate our work among a single squad, a single unit, a single area. After creating a squad, we have to make the members of the squad politically conscious. We have to livingly study mainly “Three essays”, “Three main disciplines” and “Eight ways of concentration”. Give action programme to the squad and make it successful. Thus spread work throughout one third of the area. Political units should concentrate on purposeful campaign instead of broader campaign, i.e. they will campaign with the objective of developing shelter, investigation and guerilla squads.
2. Now onwards we have to make the organization stronger. We have to place it on a stronger base. That can be possible only through developing new active cadres from among the poor and landless peasants. The cadres have to prepare themselves on the basis of the criteria indicated by Chairman Mao. From the highest up to the lowest level, everybody will have to be developed according to these five criteria.
(a) Whether the cadres resolutely follow the party line or not?
(b) Whether party discipline is followed or not?
(c) Whether close relation with the masses is maintained or not?
(d) Whether they are able to work independently or not?
(e) Whether they are active, hardworking and selfless or not?
3. Preparing the cadres in accordance with Chairman’s criteria in the matter of strengthening the organization means continuously developing the cadres to the higher levels. In other words, developing the squad leaders as unit leaders, unit leaders as area leaders or leaders of the entire area. This has to be done through revolutionary activities only. I am not talking of petty-bourgeois or intellectual cadres. I am talking mainly of the poor and landless peasants. In this regard many may consider the lack of literary knowledge among the poor and landless peasants as the impediment to this task. This view is not correct. We will definitely try to impart literary knowledge to those who will become leaders and try to increase their knowledge. But what is necessary is to increase the level of political consciousness on the basis of Chairman’s “Three Essays”. Once these “Three Essays” are read out among them repeatedly, they will be able to use them as tools for political campaign by linking them with their revolutionary activities. One thing must be kept in mind here is that we have to differentiate even among the poor and landless peasants. We have to differentiate between those having vagabond character and petty-bourgeois influence and the poor and landless peasants possessing intensive class hatred.
4. Check-up: (a) We have to decide whether he is landless or not on the basis of the three check-up criteria discussed earlier, i.e. class standpoint, eagerness to work and eagerness to fight. The peasant cadre who will work as whole timers must be associated with production. Because, intensive struggle for production intensifies the willingness to fight. The intellectual comrades should also be associated with production.
(b) We have to introduce the five point check-up criteria with regard to strengthening the organization, as mentioned by the Chinese party, in our party also. From the organizational point of view, inter-relationship of the party with regard to these five criteria has to be considered. The inter-relationship among the leadership and the inter-relationship among the party organization, revolutionary committee, proletarian class and the revolutionary masses will come under the five check-up criteria. At this phase, we will have to introduce the check-up system with regard to the inter-relationship among the leadership and that among the masses.
5. Not mainly self-criticism. What we will have to broadly introduce is the system of criticism. Self criticism dampens the initiative among the ordinary workers and the masses. People like B.T.Ranadive can sit in the leaders’ seat even after making self criticism. In the system of criticism, the political level and the revolutionary alertness of the critic increase and hence it immensely helps in maintaining the revolutionary character of the party. We have to be always cautious about two things. Self-dependence increases complacent attitude and self-confidence makes one arrogant, so in order to keep vigil on these two mistakes we will have to invite criticism. This criticism can again help in increasing division. If our leadership and the cadres accept it coolly and be mentally prepared to face criticism, the system of criticism will not lead to division. We have to keep in mind that criticism may not always be healthy, nice and polished also. Till decision at the central level is taken, criticism against the line of the cadres will have to be carried up to the area level and the level of the masses without naming the concerned cadres. It should be kept in mind that bitter criticism is much better than no criticism.
6. Avoid big meetings. Small meetings should be held. Due to this inner party democracy may be hampered to some extent. There may be a little sense of isolation. If we can apply the method of debate and discussion on our party’s general line and tactical line up to the broader level of the masses, then only we can overcome our difficulties.
We require small meetings, but what is essential is discussion with all. Discussion should be held with the cadres and the revolutionary masses on various opinions and lines without naming any individual. The names can be disclosed after decision is arrived at in the units. We should remember that secrecy and security will have to be preserved even at the cost of diluting democracy to a certain extent. The method of debate and discussion will guarantee democracy.
7. We will have to pay attention to forming organization with young boys and girls. They may be used for the purpose of investigation, collecting information about the enemy and keeping vigil. For this they will have to be imparted politics in the same manner as the elders. We should remember that the younger boys and girls constitute the future reserve army of the party. The girls may be utilized for the purpose of communication. But this task should be done through the elderly women only.
8. We have to fight against multi-centre or no-centre concepts. In this regard, we have to start work only by being loyal to the central committee, not to the area committee. Hence we should have unflinching loyalty to the central committee. We will have to fight against separatism and firmly establish party discipline. Nobody should be admitted on the basis of groups.
9. Thought of continuous action should be given up. Taking up one action is a correct work method. This helps in developing poor-landless peasant leadership. Thought of easy victory goes away.
October, 1970