NEW DELHI: Asserting that the BJP-led government’s rule at the Centre has spelt disaster for the country, the Communist Party of India (CPI) on Saturday promised abolishment of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), ensuring Rs 700 as minimum wage under MGNREGA, Urban Employment Guarantee Act and social security for gig-workers in its manifesto.
As one of its election assurances, the party vowed to scrap the contractual and “derogatory” Agnipath Scheme with its “demeaning service conditions” betraying the country’s youth. It also stated that the party aims to bring Central investigative agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI under the purview of Parliament to ensure impartiality in their probe and to avoid interference by the executive.
“CPI is committed to a free, fair and just society. BJP’s misuse of Central agencies such as the ED and CBI is a cause of concern for democratically minded citizens. The CPI aims to bring these agencies under the purview of Parliament,” the document stated.
CPI general secretary D Raja said that the situation in the country calls for a change of government at the Centre. “The party appeals to the people of our country to exercise their right to vote for a secular, democratic, pro-people alternative for strengthening the CPI and the Left in the 18th Lok Sabha. People had unitedly defeated the British Raj; now it is time that we unitedly defeat the RSS-BJP Raj,” he said.
The manifesto further said that the party would continue its struggle for full statehood to Puducherry and the National Capital Territory of Delhi to end the Union’s interference disregarding people’s mandate. “CPI will intensify its struggle for the abolition of the Governor’s Office to strengthen federalism by removing Union’s interference,” the party declared.
The other promises made in the document are the removal of executive interference in the appointments of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners, dismantling of NITI Aayog, reinstatement of the Planning Commission to formulate scientific policies for the country, scrapping of ‘irrational and communal changes’ brought by the BJP in the text-books and New Education Policy and replacing them with a pro-people education model.
Party’s guarantees
Abolishment of CAA
Minimum wage of Rs 700 under MGNREGA
Urban Employment Guarantee Act
Social security for gig-workers
Replacing ‘irrational and communal changes’ brought by the BJP in the text books and NEP with pro-people model of education
Scrapping of contractual Agnipath Scheme
Bringing Central probe agencies like ED and CBI under the purview of Parliament
Struggle for full statehood to Puducherry and NCT of Delhi
Removal of executive interference in the appointments of chief election commission and election commissioners
Dismantling of NITI Aayog
Reinstatement of Planning Commission to formulate scientific policies for the country