AIBDPA TN*
BHOPAL ALL INDIA CONFERENCE AND ITS IMPACT - LOOKING 35 YEARS BACK !!!
The All India Conference of the All India Telecom Employees Union Class III (NFPTE ) held at Bhopal, M.P. from 24th to 29th October 1991 was historic in all respects.
Background
There were strong differences with regard to the policies and actions persued by the All India General Secretary, Com.Om Prakash Gupta, within the organisation.
One of the major demands of telecom workers was ‘Two promotions to each employee during service’, which was adopted by Patna Convention in 1978. (Till that time there was not even one single promotion to many cadres in Telecom wing). But serious struggles were not organised for achievement of the same. In addition, OPG accepted ban on recruitment as well as reduction of existing posts for settling One Promotion. Instead of fighting for the justified demands, a system of adjustment and accepting whatever proposed by the department with minor modifications became the line. Leadership was, in fact, accepting the neo-liberal policies persued by the government. Efforts to get the revisionist stand changed did not succeed.
It became clear that a change in leadership has become unavoidable, if the demands of the workers have to be settled, their aspirations to be materialised. The Bhopal AIC was notified at this juncture.
A few months before the AIC, Comrades Moni Bose, J.Renganathan (Vice-Presidents) and V.A.N.Namboodiri (Asst. General Secretary) had resigned from office-bearer ships protesting against the wrong policies and actions pursued by the General Secretary. In their resignation letters, which were circulated to all office-bearers and circle secretaries, they pointed out the anti-worker agreement made by the leadership and consequent loss to the workers. The resignation letters were widely circulated all over India.
I toured many places in the nearby circles, T.Nadu and Karnataka, and addressed meetings explaining our position. Other leaders of our group also did the same in other circles. We were preparing for a serious fight in the AIC for correct policies.
AIC started as per schedule. In all discussions, the progressive section actively participated and expressed their viewpoints effectively. Coms. Moni Bose, JR and VAN explained why they resigned their office-bearer posts and also criticised the collaborationist policy being adopted by CHQ, instead of fighting the anti-worker policies of government. Comrades P.V.Chandrasekharan, Ananata Bhattacharjee, Shibdas Banerjee, R.S.Yadav, M.N.Reddy, S.R.Nayak and other leaders from our group spoke effectively. Most delegates appreciated the correct stand taken by us.
During recesses, senior comrades met and reviewed the performance of our speakers. Points to be raised were discussed. It was also decided to contest in the election of office-bearers.
Both groups presented their view points and counter points very effectively. Most speakers were experienced leaders and knew how to present matters. GS intervened now and then to counter the points raised by Moni Bose group.
Elections
Time for election of office-bearers arrived. President Com. Homi Daji called for nominations. Since we had prepared the panel sufficiently earlier,submitted the same immediately. General Secretary and his team were completely taken by surprise. For almost all previous conferences, only one list used to be there, presented by or on behalf of GS. A panel was submitted by OPG group also.
Discussions between both the groups took place to arrive at a settlement, but were unsuccessful. Contest became inevitable. It was not easy to hold voting with about 5,000 delegates, though some had left by that time. Preparation of ballots with names of the contestants, polling arrangements, method of voting – all took many hours.
During the period, both sides organised processions with flags, banners and placards inside the huge pandal, meeting delegates and canvassing votes. We had good advantage since we had prepared all these in advance. But we were also aware of the ground reality – out of more than 30 circles, we had majority and Circle Secretaries in only about 7 circles viz. Kerala, W.Bengal, Calcutta Telephones, Assam, North East, Telecom Factory and U.P. However, there were many comrades in other circles who supported us.
Voting continued for many hours. Circle Secretaries were given responsibility for voting and counting in their circles. Despite that, the process took time.
Victory for Progressives
At last results were announced by Com. Homi Daji, who was both President and Presiding Officer. (Though he was proposed for the post of President by OPG group, he had declined with thanks). The results sent shock waves among the delegates. All posts, including posts of President and General Secretary, except two posts of Assistant General Secretaries, have come to Moni Bose group. V.A.N.Namboodiri was elected as President, Moni Bose as General Secretary and Begraj Khari as Treasurer with good majority. The maximum numbers of votes were received by Com. A.K.Saramma, Vice-President. In the voting for Federal Councillors also, more numbers were elected from Moni Bose group. It increased the confidence of the workers on our side.
It was a historical victory for the progressive side. Reasons were clear. Though workers belonging to the revisionist group accepted what their leaders told to them, they were angry with the wrong line taken by the dominant leadership. When they got a chance, they made use of it.
O.P.Gupta, who was General Secretary of the E.III Union since its inception in 1954, has been defeated and Moni Bose, leader of the progressive section, has been elected in his place. Its importance was not limited to E.III Union. The entire CG employees’ movement viewed it as a welcome development.
The election of office-bearers of the progressive section had its impact in NFTE as well as in the Central government employees movement. The victory of the progressive section was hailed by the leadership of the Confederation and its other affiliates. A grand reception was given to the President and General Secretary at the New Delhi Railway Station, when they arrived from Bhopal.
One Day Strike on 29th November 1991
One of the immediate impact of the change in leadership was in the decision to participitate in the One Day Strike on 29.11.1991, called by the Central TUs.
The All India Trade Union Convention held at New Delhi on 17th September 1991 had given call for an Industrial General Strike on 29th November 1991 against the anti-people conomic policies of the government and urging for a change of such policies.
An All India Convention of the Central Government Employees and Workers was held in this connection at New Delhi on 10th November 1991 to decide about the stand to be taken in connection with the call of the strike. While one section suggested for sympathetic demonstration etc., the progressive section strongly argued for participation in the strike. After seious discussion it was decided to go on strike, wherever possible . It was a great move forward. Accordingly in many states including Kerala and W.Bengal the strike of the Central Government employees was complete.
This decision was a historic one. It resulted in the C G employees fully participating in the later general strikes called by the Central Trade Unions. It also helped the successful joint struggles in BSNL later, even including executives.
Now when we look back 35 years back to the developments of the Bhopal AIC, it can be seen that the victory for the progressive section, resulted in vast favourable changes, not only in Telecom sector, but also in the entire central government employees’ movement. A tiny spark at the appropriate time can grow to shining flames in the future.
V.A.N.Namboodiri 30.10.2026.
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