19th Party Congress: Strengthening Opposition to Neoliberalism and Imperialism

The 19th Party Congress was held in Coimbatore from March 29 to April 2, 2008, coinciding with the 65th anniversary of the Kayyur martyrdom. The political resolution emphasized that American efforts to reinforce its global dominance had intensified through imperialist globalization, marked by neo-liberal policies, sanctions, and military interventions. However, it also noted the growing resistance to imperialist aggression. The left-wing resurgence in Latin America and the formation of the Bank of the South—an alternative to the World Bank and IMF by seven nations, including Brazil, Venezuela, and Argentina—were highlighted as significant developments. Additionally, China's remarkable economic progress was recognized as a crucial shift in global power dynamics.
The Party played a pivotal role in opposing the UPA government's anti-people neoliberal policies and exposing the dangers of the Indo-US nuclear deal. It successfully mobilized public support around critical economic and foreign policy issues. The report strongly criticized the central government’s failure to address the alarming rise in farmer suicides and condemned its food policies for systematically undermining food security. The UPA government's subservience to American interests was extensively analyzed, reinforcing the Party's opposition to its economic and strategic decisions.
The report also reviewed the tactical line adopted during the 18th Party Congress. A 93-member Central Committee was elected, with Prakash Karat re-elected as General Secretary. The Polit Bureau comprised 15 members.