NATIONAL POLITICS
CPI(M): Manifesto for Lok Sabha Election, 1996 (Relevant Extracts)
The Communal Danger
Never since the partition of the country, have the communal forces mounted such an offensive as has been witnessed during the last five years. Violating all assurances to the National Integration Council, Supreme Court and to the people the BJP went ahead and organized the dastardly demolition of the Babari Masjid. This was followed by a period of worst social instability with large scale spread of communal riots, wanton killings and destruction of property. The BJP brazenly defended this action. In order to consolidated the communal forces it struck an alliance with the rabid communal and chauvinist Shiv Sena in Maharashtra.
During these five years, the BJP sought to project itself as a responsible opposition claiming to be a party with a difference. On each of the planks, it has been exposed before the people. With great fanfare it announced adherence to its policy of "Swadeshi" and even promised the electorate before the assembly elections in Maharashtra that it would cancel the dubious deal with Enron and in fact expel the MNC from the country. But as things have turned out it has not only. renegotiated with Enron but has in fact facilitated greater penetration of the multinational corporation in our power sector. On every other matter of importance, policy prescription, it has gone along with the Congress(1) in introducing this policy of unbridled liberalization that is undermining the economic sovereignty of our country. Its state governments pursue the same policies leading to the worsening of people's living conditions.
It had projected itself as a party with a different culture distinct from the self-seeking politicians and opportunistic elements that have gathered in the Congress. However, the whole exercise in Gujarat and the internal bickering in the Party in other states where it is in power have shown that its leadership is also replete with people of the same culture as that of the Congress whose self seeking opportunism precedes the interests of the country.
Similarly, with its highest leadership involved in the hawala scandal it has shown itself as a party that is no different from the Congress as far as looting the country is concerned.
With this track record, the communal forces in the recent period once again seek to mount an offensive spreading deeper the poison of hatred against the minorities in order to garner more votes. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has issued a blue print for Hindu Rashtra while whipping up the campaign for the destruction of the mosques in Kashi and Mathura. The other outfits of the RSS are also active in organizing various activities towards this end. Its state government in Maharashtra has abolished the Minorities Commission. It also wound up the Srikrishna Commission enquiring into the Bombay riots, brazenly patronizing criminal communal elements.
Defeat BJP-Defeat Communal Forces
In the background of these developments and considering the fact that the BJP had emerged in the last elections as the major opposition in parliament and in power in four state legislatures, it still represents the most consolidated danger to the very unity and integrity of our country. It is out to destroy the very social fabric that composes India. It is therefore necessary that this communal challenge be squarely met with and that these forces be defeated in the coming elections.
It becomes imperative for every patriot to defeat the Congress and the BJP and in their place elect Left secular, democratic candidates to the 11th Lok Sabha so that India can be saved today in order to change it for the better tomorrow.
Election Programme
Implementation of reservations for scheduled castes/scheduled tribes and backward classes. Within reservation for OBCs implement creamy layer principle so that needy sections are benefitted most. If vacancies. exist after application of creamy layer criteria then they should be filled up by candidates from within the same communities. Reservation to be extended to Christians from converted scheduled castes.
Strengthen Secularism Immediate legislation separating religion from politics.
Transfer of all cases connected with the Ayodhya dispute to the supreme court under article 138(2) for a speedy verdict which will be binding on all sides.
Strict implementation of the status quo of religious: places as of 15th August, 1947.
Protection of just rights of the minorities; implement the provisions of the constitution to prevent discrimination; strengthening security of the life and property of the minorities; backwards amongst the minorities be given OBC reservations, protection of Urdu language.
Decentralization of democracy to the grassroot; proper devolution of power to the panchayats, strengthen panchayat raj institutions; financial assistance to panchayats to flow through state governments.
Immediate announcement of political solution for the Kashmir problem which must include defense of Article 370 and a review of the erosion which has taken place since 1953.by the elected state assembly; granting maximum autonomy within the framework of the Indian constitution; compensation and adequate measures for those displaced from the state and a comprehensive economic package for development, generating. employment opportunities.
CPI: Election Manifesto, 1996 (Revelant Extracts)
BJP is No Alternative; It is Nowhere Near Power
The BJP has been loudly claiming to be the 'party in waiting, the alternative to the Congress. But its claims have come a cropper. Much before the polls, it stands thoroughly exposed.
With an eye on power, it took recourse to out and out communal propaganda, distorting the humane essence of religion and is misusing religion for garnering votes. In an act of medieval frenzy, it demolished a place of worship. Its action stirred up communal hate and poison on both sides that led to a spurt of riots and took hundreds of innocent lives.
It has attempted to put up a new face by talking of 'cultural nationalism'. But getting desperate after corruption and inner dissension caught up with it, the BJP has started openly espousing the so-called 'Hindu Agenda' of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Every single element of the BJP's cultural nationalism is aimed against the minorities, and is a denial of the pluralism and multifacetness of Indian society and culture, which is the basis of our secularism.
In Maharashtra, the BJP-Shiv Sena government unceremoniously wound up the States Minorities Commission and the Srikrishna Commission. It withdrew 1500 cases filed under the Prevention of Atrocities (Against Scheduled Castes) Act. All these expose the BJP and its allies' ingrained hostility to minorities and Dalits.
Country Needs a Real Third Alternative
What the country needs today is a functioning government at the Centre a broad coalition of left, secular and democratic parties and forces which will keep both the Congress and the BJP away from power.
The CPI and the left has consistently fought against all brands of communalism and upheld our best traditions of humanism, tolerance and brotherhood: The CPI and the left have made tremendous sacrifices for defending national unity against all divisive and separatist forces.
The CPI will work for the victory of such a "Third Alternative"
Jobs for All: Expansion of educational and employment opportunities for the youth. Enshrine right to work as a fundamental right in the Constitution and provide unemployment dole. Evolve a comprehensive youth policy which takes into account the right to work and education.
Education for all: Free and compulsory education for all citizens up to the age of 14 with training in productive skills. While charitable institutions and private societies have an important part to play in the educational field, oppose privatization and commercialization of education, Six per cent of the GNP to be allocated for education.
SC, ST, Women etc.: We stand for firm defense at the rights of the SC, ST, backward classes, minority communities, women, children and other weaker sections. The policy of reservation must be fully implemented. Efforts must be made to extend reservation to private sector. The BJP-VHP stand that, "the rights and privileges accorded to SC and STs will be withdrawn on their conversion" will be firmly opposed. Defense of Democratic Rights: Repeal of all undemocratic and repressive laws. Defense of democratic rights and civil liberties. Reform and overhaul of the police forces.
Defense of our Pluralist Culture: Democratic and secular cultural policies incorporating the humanist and tolerant teachings of the social reformers shall be pursued. The pluralist character of our great culture shall be upheld.
Ideological and cultural invasion threatening our traditional cultural, moral and literacy values shall be resisted. The drive to spread feudal and unscientific ideas, obscurantism, mysticism, superstitions, obscenity, glorification of crimes and violence shall be rebuffed. Language: All languages shall be encouraged to develop as modern languages, and due recognition given to the rights of Urdu and Sindhi under Article 345 or 347 of the Constitution.
Secularism: Defense of secularism as the basic tenet of our Constitution, from attacks by all brands of communal forces.
Effective intervention of secular forces and administration in the fight against communalism, so that the people belonging to the minority communities can feel sense of security. At the same time, giving priority to the genuine grievances of the minority community regarding discrimination in the matter of jobs and other economic spheres, more avenues for education, end to the mismanagement of wakf properties etc. All cases related with Ram temple-Babri Masjid dispute shall be referred to Supreme Court under Article 138(2) and its decision shall be binding.
Restructuring Centre-State Relations: Centre-State relations should be restructured in the true spirit of federalism, giving greater powers and financial resources to states, as recommended by the Sarkaria Commission.
Real decentralization to be carried out by conferring more power and financial resources to elected bodies at district, block and panchayat levels.
Defend Article 370 of the Constitution in relation to J&K, and rectify the erosion that has taken place in it. Evolve an economic and political package on the basis of consensus among all national and state parties.
Electoral Reforms: Electoral reforms must be carried
out comprehensively and not piecemeal. The Representation of Peoples Act should be amended to: i) curb money and muscle power, ii) ensure state funding specially in the form of necessary election material, iii) enforce model code which bans communal propaganda and appeal for votes in the name of religion.
Positive and active role to be played for developing South Cooperation between all developing countries, and extending cooperation among the SAARC countries.
Only the democratic, left and secular forces, acting together, can lead the people to a new order capable of defending our economic and political independence based on social justice for all.
