The CPI(M) has released its manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections 2024, promising to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and holding assembly elections immediately in the Union Terrorist.
The CPI(M) said that it is the bounden duty of every patriot to first and foremost ensure the defeat of the BJP and its allies. The CPI(M) pledges to do everything in its capacity to strengthen this collective duty and to help the establishment of a secular government at the centre. For this, and to ensure pro-people policies, a stronger presence of the CPI(M) in Parliament is essential.
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.
The CPI(M) 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) is committed to policies to protect India’s economic sovereignty. It holds that privatization of the public sector must be revisited and reversed. A tax on the super-rich along with a general wealth tax and an inheritance tax must be legislated, workers’ rights reflected in pro-worker laws must replace the labour codes; food security depends on ensuring security of the farmers of India though a legal guarantee of MSP according to the 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. Strengthen and expand MSMEs which can generate jobs. The budgetary allocations for MGNREGA must be doubled; a new law guaranteeing urban employment must be legislated and an unemployment allowance must be provided. The destruction of India’s demographic dividend must be reversed through a change in current policies of job loss growth.
Strengthen the Universal Right to Education, Stop Privatization of Higher Education.
The CPI(M) stands for an increase to at least 6 per cent of GDP in budgetary allocations for education; It stands for a reversal of the policies of commercialization, communalization and centralization
The CPI(M) 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 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.
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 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.
The CPI(M)’s continuing commitment to the autonomous status granted by Sec 370 of J&K is reflected in its using every fora to defend the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The CPI(M) stands for immediate elections to the State Assembly and also for the restoration of full statehood as a first step.
The CPI(M) stands for a non-aligned foreign policy which best serves the interests of our own country. It stands for good relations with our neighbours while defending every aspect of our country’s security.
Given the grievously deteriorating living conditions of the people the current policy direction of crony capitalism and the communal-corporate nexus must be reversed.
The alternative policies that the CPI(M) is placing before the people is detailed in the Part II of the Manifesto. (KNS)
