The CPI will launch a State-wide anti-corruption campaign on December 6 to expose the “gargantuan scale of corruption indulged in by the Central and State governments,” party State secretary D. Pandian said on Tuesday.
The UPA regime's was committing “adharma” by citing coalition dharma for refusing to constitute a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the 2G spectrum scam even after a clear indictment of former Union Minister A. Raja in the CAG report. The disruption of parliamentary proceedings for 11 days that had caused heavy loss to the exchequer was a mockery of democracy, Mr. Pandian said.
The loss of Rs. 81,000 crore caused to the country due to the retrospective pricing of natural gas favouring private companies would also be explained to the people through the anti-corruption campaign, he said.
Addressing a press conference, Mr. Pandian said Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's attempt to shield Mr. Raja by citing the Dalit factor would not hold water since not a single Dalit had received even a rupee from the spectrum scam; only rich plunderers had profiteered. The Chief Minister's stand was an insult to innocent Dalits who had nothing to do with corrupt people, Mr. Pandian said.
Stating that the CPI would take a stand on alliance only after the announcement of elections, he, however, added that the question of joining hands with the “corrupt” DMK-Congress combine did not arise. The party would stand by an alliance that would commit itself to eradicating corruption, he said.
For the flood-affected farmers, the State must announce compensation of Rs. 15,000 per acre. Steps should be taken to drain water from fields in the tail-end areas of the delta region to safeguard standing crops.
Mr. Pandian also sought immediate withdrawal of cases registered against members of the working class who took part in democratic demonstrations over the past few months and release them. He felt that the law and order situation had turned grave in Tamil Nadu. The latest instance was the gruesome murder three days ago of a party worker at Kamiyakoundanpatti near Cumbum by a criminal on bail accused in nine murder cases. Instances of kidnap and murder had become common. The main reason for the situation was the State government's interference with the dynamic functioning of the police department, he said.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Pandian chaired the meeting of district secretaries convened in the run-up to the party's three-day national committee meeting scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from December 14 to 16.
