CPI(M) Releases Manifesto for LS Polls, Promises to Scrap UAPA, PMLA, CAA

The CPI on Thursday released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections, promising to scrap all “draconian” laws such as the Unlawful Activities Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Communist Party of India general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the Republic of India is facing an “existential threat” and if its secular, democratic and republic character has to be safeguarded, then the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi must be “separated from holding the reins of power”. Protecting India’s secular democracy, addressing issues related to people’s livelihood, “restoration” of constitutional rights of states, guarantee of minimum support price to farmers for crops, conducting a caste census and holding elections immediately in Jammu and Kashmir were among the other promises made by the party in its manifesto. The CPI said the Lok Sabha elections are taking place at a time when the secular and democratic Republic of India faces an “existential crisis created by the Narendra Modi-led decade-long rule of the BJP government”. The party is committed to protecting India’s “economic sovereignty”, it said and added that this will not be possible without protecting the public sector.