People's Democracy

CPI(M) ELECTION MANIFESTO RELEASED

Defeat BJP And Its Allies

THE Communist Party of India (Marxist) has emphasised that defeating the BJP and its allies in the approaching general elections must be the main focus of all those who cherish the country’s unity. It has called upon such forces to come together to ensure this goal is achieved as no single party on its own can bring a change in the correlation of forces.

This was stressed by the Party general secretary, Harkishan Singh Surjeet, while releasing the Party election manifesto in New Delhi on March 17 along with Polit Bureau members, Prakash Karat, Sitaram Yechury and S Ramchandran Pillai.

Sitaram Yechury highlighted the three main objectives of the CPI(M) in the 14th Lok Sabha elections:

•  To Defeat the BJP and its Allies

•  To Strengthen the CPI(M) and the Left

•  To Work for the Formation of a Secular Government

Stressing the importance of maintaining the principle of unity in diversity, Surjeet faulted the Congress for adopting faulty policies during its four-decade long rule, which strengthened and gave space for the communal forces. “Let us see when their manifesto is released whether they have learnt any lessons”, he said. Surjeet felt the people were fed up with the six years of BJP’s communal  rule – it was actually BJP rule despite the façade of NDA – and were looking for relief. If the BJP is allowed to return to power then the country's future would be at stake. That is why if the nation has to be saved from these communal, disruptive forces, all democratic and secular parties must rally together to defeat the BJP, said Surjeet. Asserting that the CPI(M) would discharge its responsibility in achieving this important task, he called upon all secular forces to realise the crucial significance of this battle and join hands.

The 32-page election manifesto of the CPI(M) is divided into two parts. One is a critique of the BJP government’s record in various areas while in the second part the stress is more on what the future alternative government should do.

Prakash Karat noted that unlike other bourgeoisie parties which issue manifestos for the elections and forget about them after the polls, the CPI(M) manifesto represents its alternative policies which were framed after thorough discussions within the Party fora. He highlighted a few issues from the manifesto to the media. He said two issues would be particularly highlighted by the Party in the coming elections - one, the unacceptable attempts to bypass the judicial process on Ayodhya issue, and second, the BJP government's new forms of attacks on federalism through economic coercion of the states. He said while there would be coordination with other secular parties in ensuring the defeat of BJP and its allies, the alternative Left policies will be projected independently from the Left platform.

Replying to questions on CPI(M)'s participation in a future secular government at the centre, the CPI(M) leaders made it clear that the Party would play its role in helping the formation of such a government, but what and how the role would be will depend on the concrete situation at that time.