THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Left Democratic Front’s manifesto is the CPM-led ruling combine’s economic adviser, CPI state chief Kanam Rajendran told reporters. He was responding to a query on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan appointing Harvard University Professor Gita Gopinath, an advocate of neo-liberal economic policies, as his financial adviser. “The LDF manifesto speaks about all issues. And how the Left can become a viable alternative to the neo-liberal policies,” he said.
Media accreditation at courts
The standoff between journalists and advocates can be solved by ensuring media accreditation for journalists in the High Court and lower courts as is the practice in the Supreme Court, said Kanam. Stating that the government has certain limitations in settling issues within the court, Kanam said it’s for the Chief Justice to take the initiative.
“Once there’s accreditation for journalists, as in the case of the apex court, the issue can be resolved. However, it is for the courts to take the initiative,” he added.
Demonetisation
Narendra Modi Government’s demonetisation move is to cover up its failure to bring back black money from abroad, alleged Kanam. According to the CPI leader, those with black money have different ways of keeping it. This attempt (by the Centre) is just to cover up its failure in bringing back the black money even two years on, he said. Criticising BJP leader Ram Madhav, the CPI leader said BJP leaders have been attempting to destroy the state’s cooperative sector.
“The cooperative banks and societies in Kerala function as per the RBI guidelines. These are key to maintaining the state’s rural economy,” he said. However, Kanam evaded a direct reply to questions on the cooperative banks’ failure to file IT returns by merely stating that it was a policy matter.