CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury on Thursday said the auction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s suit, specially designed during the visit of U.S. President Barack Obama, was against the laws of the country as gifts received by the Prime Minister should go to the treasury.
Describing the auction to collect money for philanthropy as “a bizarre incident,” he said there could be a CBI inquiry into the auction in the future as it happened in the case of the Saradha scam in which the paintings of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were sold.
“I expect it [CBI inquiry] to happen,” he said at a public meeting organised in connection with the 21st State conference of the party in Chennai.
The Modi government, which secured 31 per cent vote in the Lok Sabha polls, instead of fulfilling people’s aspirations, was moving in the opposite direction in terms of policies. Though the petroleum prices in the international market had come down by 60 per cent, the benefit was not allowed to reach the consumer, he said.
The outcome of the Delhi Assembly polls that reduced the BJP's strength to three MLAs was the first manifestation of the anti-incumbency wave and the growing mood of people against the Modi government, he noted.
There were indications that the budget would only further widen the gap between the ordinary people and the rich.
Tamil Nadu politics
On Tamil Nadu politics, Mr. Yechury alleged that both the DMK and the AIADMK that initiated the struggle against the upper-caste and North-Indian domination had reduced themselves to such a position that who would become close to those who were in power at the Centre.
“Despite having good numbers in Parliament, the AIADMK is flirting with the Modi government, instead of upholding the rights of the State and its people,” he said.
Mr. Yechury called upon people to support the Left to save democracy in the country.
Ramakrishnan
re-elected
G. Ramakrishnan was re-elected as the State secretary of the party.
The conference also elected an 81-member State committee and 15-member secretariat.
The secretariat members include party MP T.K. Ranagarajan, U. Vasuki, and party MLAs K. Balakrishnan, A. Lasar and K. Thangavel.
