New Delhi: The CPI(M) Thursday proposed to repeal sedition law, provide unemployment allowance, scrap use of Aadhaar card for welfare schemes and restore wealth tax — a long wishlist for a party that will contest just 71 seats in the Lok Sabha elections.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) had won just nine seats in the 2014 elections.
Releasing the manifesto, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said it was important that an alternative, secular government is formed at the Centre to defend our constitutional republic, which is under severe attack by the BJP and its allies.
“It is important to not only consolidate but build a better India, which requires a radical shift in policy,” Yechury said at a press conference.
Some of these radical shifts in policy are part of the CPI(M)’s manifesto such as proposing to remove Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) personnel appointed in key positions by the BJP government.
The party has also proposed to impose a ban on all illegal private armies and vigilante groups such as the various ‘sena groups’ that have been attacking Dalits and minorities in the name of cow protection.
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Scrapping sedition law and use of Aadhaar for welfare schemes
In its manifesto, the CPI(M) has proposed to repeal several legislations, including the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and the colonial era sedition law.
To a question on whether repealing AFSPA will endanger national security, Yechury said he did not think so. “We will replace the AFSPA with a suitable law, which provides a legal framework for the operation of the armed forces without the draconian provisions,” Yechury said.
Besides, the CPI(M) has also promised to scrap the ordinance criminalizing instant triple talaq.
Unemployment allowance, higher tax for the rich
The CPI(M) manifesto has also called for a provision of an unemployment allowance for the jobless youths, and reservation in jobs and education in the private sector for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Besides, the party wants to restore wealth tax for the rich and also ensure that all the loan defaulters who have fled the country are brought to book.
Some of the proposals in the manifesto are in line with the known stand of the CPI(M). This includes no Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in railways and revoking the decision to privatise railways, defence, port and dock, banks and insurance sector.
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Return of Planning Commission
Like its arch rival, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the CPI(M) has also proposed to restore the erstwhile Planning Commission, which was disbanded by the Narendra Modi-led BJP government. The TMC Wednesday had proposed restoring the Planning Commission in its election manifesto.
Advocating electoral reforms, the CPI(M) has also proposed the scrapping of electoral bonds and introduction of proportional representation with partial list system.
I do not believe that there is any party more vile,wicked and murderous than the Communist Party of India(M).