Sitaram Yechury promised that if the party comes to power, then it is committed to scrapping the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)…reports Asian Lite News
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Thursday released its manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury in the presence of senior party leader Prakash Karat, Brinda Karat and Nilotpal Basu promised that if the party comes to power, then it is committed to scrapping the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
After releasing the party manifesto, Yechury said at a press conference at the party office in Delhi that the CPI(M) pledges to fight for an uncompromising adherence to the principle that religion is separated from politics, the state, the government and administration. It will fight for a law against hate speech and crimes. It is committed to scrapping the CAA, he said.
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CPI(M) in a Manifesto said that it stands for the restoration of the constitutional rights of the states which have been severely diluted by the Modi government. The CPI(M) stands for devolution of 50 per cent of the total collection of Central taxes to the states, including share of surcharges and cess levied by Centre. It stands for a Governor to be chosen out of a panel of three eminent persons proposed by the Chief Minister; for an end to policies which promote centralization at the expense of the states.
CPI(M) also promised in Manifesto that party stands for the scrapping of all draconian laws like UAPA and PMLA; for steps to protect and strengthen the autonomy of independent institutions, for defence of the democratic rights of the people.
The CPI(M) Manifesto also emphasized its ongoing support for the autonomous status guaranteed under Section 370 of Jammu and Kashmir. It pledges to advocate for the rights of the region’s people through all available platforms. Furthermore, the CPI(M) advocates for prompt elections to the State Assembly and the reinstatement of full statehood as an initial measure.
In CPI(M) Manifesto also promised that party stands for a law for reservations in the private sector.
“The CPI(M) stands for a law for reservations in the private sector and for immediate filling of vacancies in reserved posts without dilution; for protection of constitutional and legal rights of adivasis and an end to cultural assimilation. In order to acquire proper data on the OBCs in the country it is necessary to conduct a caste census along with the 2021 general census that is overdue. It stands for the immediate implementation of one-third reservations for women; for strengthening processes of justice for women victims of crimes”, the party’s manifesto added.
In its manifesto, the CPI(M) also committed to urgent electoral reforms aimed at reducing the influence of monetary resources in the electoral process.
“The CPI(M) stands for urgent electoral reforms to curb the use of money power in the electoral system. For this, the Party wants State funding of elections and a ban on corporate donations to political parties. Corporates must fund to strengthen democracy and such contributions must be credited in a State electoral fund and used for State funding” CPI(M)’s manifesto added. (ANI)
Pinarayi slams Rahul over missing flags in roadshow
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday slammed Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party for showing ‘disrespect’ to their party flag.
CM Vijayan was referring to how the Congress on Wednesday decided not to display flags of its own and that of its ally IUML during the roadshow ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s filing of nomination papers for the Wayanad Lok Sabha.
“They got scared of the BJP as in 2019 when Rahul came to file his nomination papers and at their roadshow, the green flags of the IUML and the Congress flags were tied together. The BJP used the pictures to campaign in North India stating that these were Pakistani flags. Do the Congress leaders here know what the Congress flags used to depict during the pre-independence struggle,” asked CM Vijayan.
“The Congress party wants the vote of the IUML, but not their flag and for that, the Congress party also decided to forego their flag. This act doesn’t augur well and the Congress is afraid of the BJP,” added CM Vijayan.
He also took potshots at K.C.Venugopal, the Congress general secretary and a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan.
“Even though he has two more years before his term ends, he decided to contest from Alappuzha and this was done to ensure that in case he wins, then a by-election to the Upper House from Rajasthan will be held and the BJP will win it. At the moment the BJP doesn’t have a majority in the Upper House and is short by four seats. This is being done to help the BJP, but the people at Alappuzha (where Venugopal is contesting) will ensure that his seat is intact in the Upper House as he will be defeated here,” added CM Vijayan.
The Chief Minister slammed the Enforcement Directorate for its probe into the real estate major DLF in 2019. “A few years later all know that when the involvement of Priyanka Gandhi’s husband Robert Vadra surfaced, everything just disappeared,” said the CM.
He alleged that he suspected a secret deal that Congress had struck with the SDPI (the political arm of the now-banned PFI). The SDPI early this week decided to support the UDF, and the CPI(M) and BJP went hammer and tongs on this.
K.C. Venugopal, however, hit back at CM Vijayan and said that he need not worry about what the Congress party does and instead, he should be more worried about the way Kerala has slid down on all fronts.
“Has anyone ever heard CM Vijayan attacking PM Modi, instead he attacks Rahul Gandhi and all know why he is doing this,” said Venugopal.
Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan said CM Vijayan need not be overly concerned about the Congress party. “CM Vijayan should be more worried about his party and the Congress doesn’t require any advice from him. CM Vijayan is afraid of PM Modi and all his acts of attacking the Congress party is to help PM Modi and keep him in good humour,” said Satheesan.
He also said, “Congress party is the one which strongly opposes both minority communalism and majority communalism and we do not want the support of the SDPI.”
Reacting to the flag controversy, IUML General Secretary P.M.A. Salam slammed CM Vijayan and wrote on his Facebook page that while they are working hard to ensure that the national flag is intact, CM Vijayan is keener to ensure the CPI(M) can retain their national party status.
“It’s understandable why CM Vijayan is jittery as every sector in our state is in shambles. Moreover, the SNC Lavalin case in which he is a party is being repeatedly postponed in the apex court. All know that CM Vijayan has always been at the forefront of appeasing the Sangh Parivar forces. CM Vijayan and the Sangh Parivar forces are two sides of the same coin. Like the BJP, CM Vijayan also doesn’t wish that the Congress comes to power as he knows all his cases will return to haunt him and hence he has raised the ‘flag’ issue,” said Salam.
The IUML is the second biggest ally of the Congress-led UDF.
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