Lok Sabha polls 2024: CPI(M) releases election manifesto, promises to scrap 'draconian' UAPA, PMLA

The CPI(M) appealed to voters to defeat the BJP, strengthen the Left, and ensure the formation of an alternative secular government at the Centre.

New Delhi: Appealing to voters to increase the Left's strength in Parliament to "set the agenda" for pro-people policies, CPI(M) on Thursday unveiled its manifesto for the Lok Sabha election 2024 promising to fight for scrapping of CAA, UAPA and anti-money laundering law as well as  ensuring Right To Work as a constitutional right and quota in private sector.

The 64-page document, released by CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury in the presence of Polit Bureau members Prakash Karat and Brinda Karat among others, was an indictment of the Narendra Modi government, with the Left party saying the "Republic of India is facing an existential crisis" created during the decade-long rule.

"We should make no mistake about it – the Lok Sabha elections are about saving India, against the effort of the BJP to transform the secular, democratic character of the Indian Republic into a rabidly intolerant, hate and violence based authoritarian and fascistic Hindutva Rashtra," the manifesto said.

The manifesto has promised to fight for a secular democratic polity and ensure the formation of an alternative secular government at the Centre. It called for scrapping of "draconian" laws like UAPA" while insisting that it will "fight for a law against hate speech and crimes" and is committed to "scrapping" the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.

It also promised to tax the super rich and introduce a law on general wealth tax and inheritance tax while putting its weight behind a urban employment guarantee scheme on the lines of MGNREGA.

Describing the rise in unemployment as the "biggest failure" of the Modi government, the CPI(M) also backed inclusion of 'Right to Work' as a Constitutional right while calling for filling vacancies in government and public sector. It also said the party stands for quota in the private sector and OBC Census.

“There has been no real increase in wages in the last ten years while price rise continues to eat into meagre earnings of people. Contrary to this a small section of people have amassed wealth.  This has to change. A stronger presence of the Left, especially the CPI(M), in Parliament therefore is absolutely necessary to ensure that an alternative pro-people policy direction is adopted by a new alternative secular government,” Yechury said.

He said that the Left had managed to "set the agenda" and for the alternative agenda outlined by the party to become a reality, the pressure exerted by the Left is essential.

The manifesto said the Lok Sabha election assumes "critical importance" as its outcome will determine if 'We The People' can safeguard the secular, democratic character of the republic as ordained in the Constitution.

"The CPI(M) pledges to do everything in its capacity to strengthen this collective duty and to help the establishment of a secular government at the centre. For this, and to ensure pro-people policies, a stronger presence of the CPI(M) in Parliament is essential," it added