People's Democracy

Left Parties’ Dharna Against

Corruption & Price Rise

THE four Left Parties organised a dharna against corruption and price rise at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on July 21, 2011. The dharna was organised as the culmination of the week long campaign by the Left parties from July 15-21 against corruption and price rise. Hundreds of activists participated in the dharna. Leaders from Delhi and the national leadership of the Left parties were present in the dharna and addressed the gathering.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury pointed out that the corruption we are seeing today is not some simple corruption due to deterioration of moral values. Corruption today is linked with the neo-liberal economic policies being pursued by the ruling classes today. Without fighting corruption it is not possible to build a new India for which we have the potential, he said. The money lost in 2G spectrum scam alone is sufficient to provide food to all people at Rs 3 per kg for two years, or finance the expenditure on the Right to Education for five years. He emphasised on the need for electoral reforms to strengthen the fight against corruption and demanded that corporate funding of political parties be banned. He appealed to the people to strengthen the fight against corruption and price rise.

CPI general secretary A B Bardhan said the UPA government was completely sunk in corruption and it has lost all credibility. The Left Parties want a comprehensive and effective Lokpal bill and not a toothless legislation. He appealed to the participants to be ready for bigger struggles in the future.

Abani Roy from the RSP called on the people to mobilise against corruption and price rise in greater numbers. He said that those who cannot provide relief to the common people have no right to remain in government.

Debbrata Biswas from the AIFB attacked the government for fueling price rise. He also said sustained struggles need to be built and anger of the people must be channelised into militant struggles.

CPI (M) Delhi state secretary P M S Grewal, Dinesh Varshney from the CPI, Asit Ganguly from RSP, and Dharmendra Kumar from AIFB also addressed the gathering.