People's Democracy

Majumdar’s Letter To The CEC

Following is the text of the letter written by Jharkhand CPI(M) secretary J S Majumdar, to the chief election commissioner on November 4.

ON behalf of my Party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Jharkhand state committee, I want to bring to your notice the following facts.

The Jharkhand state government has decided to print the photograph of Arjun Munda, the chief minister of the state, on the 40 lakhs ration cards to be issued afresh for those people who are covered by the Public Distribution System (PDS).

The ration cards are not only used for purpose of PDS, but also as identity cards in assembly and Lok Sabha elections. This decision has been taken by the Jharkhand government for electoral purposes to the advantage of the ruling party BJP before ensuing assembly election in the state which is scheduled in February 2005.

Under the above circumstances, I request you to kindly intervene in this matter immediately so that voters are not influenced by the state government administration in favour of BJP by the process as stated above. (INN)