Left parties will hold countrywide protests on July 20 against the alleged corruption in BJP-ruled Centre and states, demanding action against the “tainted” chief ministers and ministers.
“Left parties have decided to organise countrywide strong protests on July 20, a day before the Parliament session begins, against corruption and we will demand action against the tainted chief ministers and ministers of BJP,” CPI National Secretary D Raja said in Jaipur.
He said that the corruption cases of the state governments of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh are now in public domain and the leaders involved have no moral right to continue in government positions.
“There is total misrule in Rajasthan. It has become the first state to bring draconian anti-labour legislation. There is no protection for immigrant labourers in the state,” Mr. Raja said.
He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has neither uttered a single word on cases of corruption in the states nor has he taken action against tainted leaders, which raises suspicion.
“To highlight all these issues, we will hold protests in different parts of the country on July 20,” he said.
Calling Vasundhara Raje-led government in Rajasthan as one of the most corrupt governments in the country, the CPI leader said that she should have been asked to step down by this time but it was very unfortunate that she was continuing as the chief minister.
“Rajasthan is one of the worst administered states in the country and there is a complete misrule in the state under the governance of Vasundhara Raje, who stands accused in one of the mega corruption scam,” Mr. Raja said at a press conference.
“There are adequate facts available in public domain that Raje and her family corroborated in money laundering, acquiring government property as private property with Lalit Modi,” Mr. Raja said.
“Raje’s position has become indefensible and untenable. If BJP believes credibility in public life, BJP by this time should have asked her to step down because she cannot remain in office despite all such revelations,” he said.
The CPI secretary said its not only Rajasthan government, but corruption cases have also taken place in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
“PM Modi had claimed that there was no scam in one year of Centre’s rule but now look at Vyapam case of Madhya Pradesh, which is first such horrible scam in the country where accused, witness, journalists are dying mysteriously. But MP Chief Minister does not take any responsibility,” he said.
Mr. Raja also demanded MP CM Shivraj Singh’s resignation, removal of Governor and investigation of the scam to be monitored by the Supreme Court.
He also highlighted cases of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh and demanded from the party leadership to take action against “tainted” minister and chief minister.
Accusing RSS and its associated Hindu groups of forcing agendas and posing threat to social harmony, he said, “RSS unleash Hindutva terror everywhere and such forces have become very aggressive and offensive after Modi became Prime Minister. People should resist such forces.”
Mr. Raja also criticised Rajasthan government’s circular on July 9 recommending all government college Principals to purchase the biography of RSS founder Keshav Balilram Hedgewar for libraries.
“RSS and Sangh Pariwar are trying to dictate to Centre and state governments where they are ruling. They want to reshape cultural and educational policies. Rajasthan government is trying to implement RSS agenda and it may cause disharmony in the society,” he added.
On Friday’s meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Ufa, Russia on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, Mr. Raja said both the countries should engage in meaningful dialogue to sort out issues.
“Ice has been broken when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif met in Russia. Now, both the countries should engage in meaningful dialogue and sort out issues,” Mr. Raja said.
He said that cross border terrorism was one of the main issues which should be contained by Pakistan.
“After the secretary level talks called off, relations between both the countries were strained. Now ice has been broken. Pakistan should understand, and contain terrorism on its soil,” he said, adding, India should also show positive steps so that talks can go on.
