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Party of Democratic Socialism (India)
Encyclopedia
The Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS) is a political party
in West Bengal
in India
. The PDS was founded in February 2001 by former Communist Party of India (Marxist)
(CPI(M)) leader Saifuddin Choudhury
. The PDS is in opposition to the Left Front
government in West Bengal
, and they have aligned themselves with the Indian National Congress
.
, or else that it would be a constituent of an anti-CPI(M) mahajot (broad front), but the link between Trinamool and the Hindu rightist Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) hindered such a development.
The PDS has formed relations with other pro-Congress leftist outfits, such as the Communist Marxist Party
in Kerala
and the United Communist Party of India
. PDS participates in the Confederation of Indian Communists and Democratic Socialists
.http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/09/stories/2005020906330400.htm
state assembly elections in 2001, the PDS had launched their own front. The PDS put up 98 candidates, who together got 219,082 votes (0.6% of the votes in the state). None of their candidates were elected.
Ahead of the Lok Sabha
elections in 2004, the PDS had joined hands with Congress, and put up two candidates supported by Congress.
The president of the PDS is Saifuddin Chaudhury, the general secretary is Samir Putatundu
(formerly the CPI(M) South 24 Paraganas district secretary), and the treasurer is Subir Chaudhury.
The women's organization of the PDS is called Paschim Banga Nari Sanghati Samiti (West Bengal Women's United Association). The president of PBNSS is Kishwar Jahan.
The PDS publishes Natun Path (New Way).
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The PDS was founded in February 2001 by former Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
The Communist Party of India is a political party in India. It has a strong presence in the states of Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura. As of 2011, CPI is leading the state government in Tripura. It leads the Left Front coalition of leftist parties in various states and the national parliament of...
(CPI(M)) leader Saifuddin Choudhury
Saifuddin Choudhury
Saifuddin Choudhury is a former CPI leader and a former MP from West Bengal state of India. His membership of the party was not renewed. He is the Chairman of Party of Democratic Socialism ....
. The PDS is in opposition to the Left Front
Left Front
The Left Front is an alliance of Indian leftist parties. After a 34-year reign in West Bengal, the Left Front was swept from power in the 2011 election...
government in West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
, and they have aligned themselves with the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
.
History
The PDS was founded by Saifuddin Chaudhury on February 21, 2001. Samir Putatunda, who had been expelled from CPI(M), joined the new party.Alliances
Initially there was speculation that the PDS would joint with the All India Trinamool CongressAll India Trinamool Congress
The All India Trinamool Congress is a state political party in West Bengal. Founded in 1 January 1998, the party is led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Trinamool Congress is currently the second largest member of the ruling United Progressive Alliance coalition...
, or else that it would be a constituent of an anti-CPI(M) mahajot (broad front), but the link between Trinamool and the Hindu rightist Bharatiya Janata Party
Bharatiya Janata Party
The Bharatiya Janata Party ,; translation: Indian People's Party) is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Indian National Congress. Established in 1980, it is India's second largest political party in terms of representation in the parliament...
(BJP) hindered such a development.
The PDS has formed relations with other pro-Congress leftist outfits, such as the Communist Marxist Party
Communist Marxist Party
Communist Marxist Party is a political party in Kerala, south India. The party was founded in 1986 when Communist Party of India leader M. V. Raghavan was expelled from the CPI due to a grave difference of opinion regarding the formation of alliances with the Muslim League...
in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
and the United Communist Party of India
United Communist Party of India
United Communist Party of India , is a political party in India. It was formed in 1987 when the Indian Communist Party merged with the All India Communist Party. Veteran communist leader Mohit Sen was the general secretary of the party until his death in 2003.UCPI participates in the Confederation...
. PDS participates in the Confederation of Indian Communists and Democratic Socialists
Confederation of Indian Communists and Democratic Socialists
Confederation of Indian Communist and Democratic Socialists ' is a confederation of pro-Congress communist and Social Democratic parties in India. These parties are against major Leftist parties of India like Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India.The constituent parties of CICDS...
.http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/09/stories/2005020906330400.htm
Elections
Ahead of the West BengalWest Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
state assembly elections in 2001, the PDS had launched their own front. The PDS put up 98 candidates, who together got 219,082 votes (0.6% of the votes in the state). None of their candidates were elected.
Ahead of the Lok Sabha
Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India...
elections in 2004, the PDS had joined hands with Congress, and put up two candidates supported by Congress.
Organisation
The flag of the PDS is a red flag with a red star in a white circle.The president of the PDS is Saifuddin Chaudhury, the general secretary is Samir Putatundu
Samir Putatundu
Samir Putatundu is a former Communist leader from West Bengal state of India. He is the General Secretary of Party of Democratic Socialism ....
(formerly the CPI(M) South 24 Paraganas district secretary), and the treasurer is Subir Chaudhury.
The women's organization of the PDS is called Paschim Banga Nari Sanghati Samiti (West Bengal Women's United Association). The president of PBNSS is Kishwar Jahan.
The PDS publishes Natun Path (New Way).