Will scrap draconian laws, including CAA: CPM manifesto

The CPI(M) has pledged to “fight for an uncompromising adherence to the principle that religion is separated from politics, the State, the government and administration”, adding that it will “fight for a law against hate speech and crimes” and emphasised its commitment to “scrapping the CAA”.

The manifesto says that the Lok Sabha polls are “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”. Emphasising that “it is the bounden duty of every patriot to first and foremost ensure the defeat of the BJP and its allies”, the manifesto calls for repealing anti-conversion laws in states and the removal of RSS personnel appointed to key positions by the BJP government.

Flagging the “attack on the federal structure”, the manifesto promises the devolution of 50% of the total collection of central taxes to states and calls for the “Governor to be chosen out of a panel of three eminent persons proposed by the Chief Minister”.

On the economic front, the manifesto promises to revisit and reverse the privatisation of public sector units (PSUs) and higher taxes on the super-rich. It also promises a legal guarantee of MSP for farmers as per the Swaminathan Commission recommendations; an urgent reduction in duties on petroleum products; policies to control price rise; and a Universal Public Healthcare System with state funding.

“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,” reads the manifesto.

The CPI(M) has also called for an increase in the budgetary allocation for education to at least 6% of the GDP and the scrapping of the National Education Policy, 2020. “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,” reads the manifesto.

The manifesto also pushes for the state funding of elections and a ban on corporate donations to political parties. It also calls for immediate elections to the J&K Assembly and the restoration of full statehood.