CPI(M) Manifesto Pledges to Scrap ‘Draconian’ Laws Like UAPA, PMLA, as Also CAA

New Delhi: The Communist Party of India (Marxist), which is heading the Left Democratic Front in Kerala, has promised to scrap draconian laws, such as UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) and PMLA Prevention of Money laundering Act), as well as the controversial CAA or the Citizenship Amendment Act. It said it would also fight for a law against hate speech and crimes.

The CPI(M), which is part of the Opposition INDIA bloc, released its manifesto on Thursday, and appealed to voters to defeat the BJP and its allies and increase the strength of Left parties in Lok Sabha to “ensure that an alternative secular government is formed at the Centre.”

The manifesto pointed out that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were taking place at a time when “the secular, democratic, Republic of India faces an existential crisis created by the Modi led decade long rule of the BJP government.”

Economy & Unemployment

On the economic front, the CPI(M) maintained that public sector privatisation must be “revisited and reversed.”

It also proposed a tax on the super-rich along with a general wealth tax and an inheritance tax.

The Left party also said it would fight for “pro-worker” laws to replace the four labour codes, as well as for legal guarantee of MSP (minimum support price) for farmers as per the MS Swaminathan Commission recommendations.

“The CPI(M) stands for the inclusion of the Right to Work as a constitutional right. The vacancies in government and public sector posts must be filled urgently,” said the manifesto, calling for strengthening and expansion of MSMEs to generate jobs.

The CPI(M) also called for budgetary allocations for MGNREGA to be doubled; a new law guaranteeing urban employment and an unemployment allowance be provided.

“The destruction of India’s demographic dividend must be reversed through a change in current policies of job loss growth,” the manifesto said.

The CPI(M) said the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were critical, “as its outcome will determine if “we the people’’ through our vote in the elections can safeguard the secular, democratic character of the Indian Republic as ordained by the Constitution of India.”

The CPI(M) said it stood 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.”

Struggles & Resistance

The Left party also highlighted the fact that the past five years had seen increasing people’s resistance and innumerable democratic struggles of the working people, the kisans, the workers, adivasis, Dalits, women, youth and students.

“Many of these struggles, in particular the historic struggle of the kisans, have proved that a people united can challenge and defeat the might and power and repression unleashed by this government.” It added.

Among other promises and stances, the CPI(M) manifesto called for strengthening the Universal Right to Education, halt to privatisation in higher education, and at least 6% of GDP in budgetary allocations for education, restoration of the constitutional rights of states that 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 cesses 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,” read the manifesto.

The Left party also reiterated its  commitment to the autonomous status granted by the now abrogated Article 370 of Jammu & Kashmir and called for immediate elections to the state Assembly and also for the restoration of full statehood as a first step.

Placing the an “alternative policy” before the people, the party called upon the people to vote out the BJP government to reverse the “current policy direction of crony capitalism and the communal-corporate nexus” that had “grievously deteriorated” the living conditions of the people.