Terming the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) election manifesto a ‘toxic mixture’ that could ‘subvert’ the fundamentals of Indian Constitution, Communist Party of India(Marxist) (CPI-M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat has said that the saffron party has yet again revived its communal agenda by resolving to go ahead with its plans to construct ‘Ram Mandir’ at the disputed land in Ayodhya.
“India is virtually at crossroads with the BJP yet again raking up the Ayodhya issue, repealing of Article 370, giving special status to Jammu & Kashmir and uniform civil, by subverting the fundamentals our Constitution,” Ms. Karat told mediapersons at the ‘Padayorukkam-2014’ at the Press Club here on Monday.
The BJP called for framing new rules to attract investment at the cost of the working class by diluting labour rules and regulations, Ms. Karat, who was in the district to address a series of election campaign rallies for LDF candidate P. Karunakaran, said.
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Stating that there was no difference between the neo-liberal economic policies pursued by the BJP and the Congress, she said the UPA governments at the Centre promoted “obscene” inequalities and rampant corruption.
The CPI(M), which has laid down a broad framework against corruption by promising unflinching support to Lokpal Bill and for bringing the Prime Minister’s Office under its ambit, wanted to play a lead role in forming a third alternative by joining hands with “friendly” parties at the Centre, she said.
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The BJP manifesto did not have a single word about brining the Jan Lokpal Act, she claimed, adding that Telugu Desham Party leader Chandrababu Naidu, who entered into the BJP-led alliance, would have to answer to his electorates on the BJP’s contentious manifesto released on Monday.
Ms. Karat pooh-poohed senior Congress leader A.K. Antony’s recent statement here that his party was not averse to seeking the CPI(M)’s support to form a secular government to keep the BJP at bay, saying “there is no tax being levied for dreaming.”
On Rahul Gandhi cautioning against voting for the CPI(M) by stating that the Left party had no major stake in national politics and it would indirectly bolster the BJP’s prospects, Ms. Karat said the AICC leader’s words had no credibility and he should focus on the grim poll scenario of his party at the national level.