CPI(M) Condemns One Nation, One Election Initiative
October 1, 2024
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi on September 29-30, 2024. It has issued the following communiqué:
The Central Committee adopted condolence resolutions paying homage to Comrade Sitaram Yechury, Comrade Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and other leaders and comrades who have passed away in the recent period.
`One Nation, One Election’:
Anti-Democratic, Anti-Federal Move
The Central Committee has strongly opposed the `One Nation, One Election’ concept as accepted by the Union Cabinet based on the recommendations of the Ram Nath Kovind Committee. The steps to be taken for simultaneous elections to Parliament, state legislatures and local bodies will undermine the parliamentary democratic system and the federal structure. It will violate the Constitutional scheme of five year terms for state legislatures and the Lok Sabha. It will bring about a Centralised and unitary system which will trample upon the rights of the states and their elected legislatures.
The Central Committee decided to mobilise public opinion against this anti-democratic, anti-federal move.
Reduce Retail Prices of Petrol and Diesel
The Central Committee demanded an immediate reduction in the retail price of petrol and diesel. Since April this year, the international price of crude oil has fallen from $ 89.40 a barrel to $ 73.59 per barrel, which is a drop of nearly 18 per cent. But, under the direction of the Modi government, the oil manufacturing companies have not reduced the domestic retail prices of petrol and diesel.
High prices of petrol and diesel have contributed to the inflationary spiral and increase in the cost of vegetables, foodgrains and other essential commodities.
The Central Committee decided to conduct a campaign against price rise and demand an immediate reduction in the retail prices of petrol and diesel.
Worsening Situation in Manipur
The Central Committee expressed its deep concern at the deterioration in the situation in Manipur. There have been attacks in the areas bordering the valley and the hill districts. The Central government and the BJP state government have abjectly failed to address the basic issues, which led to the conflict and have allowed the situation to develop where there is a hardening of the ethnic divide.
The abandonment of the Centre’s responsibility towards Manipur is made all the more stark by the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not thought it fit to visit Manipur even once in the past sixteen months. The CPI(M) reiterates that the removal of the Chief Minister Biren Singh should be the first step to create conditions for a political dialogue and settlement.
The Central government has to directly intervene and start the process of political negotiations with major ethnic groups to create conditions for peace and normalcy along with ensuring the rights of citizens of all communities.
West Bengal: Gruesome Crime at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital
The Central Committee extended its full support to the popular movement, which is ongoing in West Bengal against the gruesome rape and murder of a post-graduate medical student. The movement is also against the TMC ruling party-criminal nexus which is flourishing in all sectors, including the health sector in the state.
The CPI(M) supports the demand of the medical community all over the country for a legislation in Parliament, which deals with the security and safety of medical personnel.
The Central Committee also expressed grave concern at the increasing crimes against women and girls in many other states.
Case against Nirmala Sitharaman
The Central Committee noted that a special court of Bengaluru ordered the filing of an FIR against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others on complaints of extortion of money through the electoral bonds scheme. The case should be properly investigated and the Finance Minister interrogated in this connection.
Support to Strike Struggles
The Central Committee extended its full support to the striking workers of the Samsung plant in Kancheepuram, Tamilnadu. The strike of the workers is to exercise their right to form a union. The stand of the MNC that it will not allow the union of the worker’s choice to function cannot be accepted. It is unfortunate that the Labour Department has not allowed the registration of the union so far.
The Central Committee appeals to the Tamilnadu state government to intervene and ensure that the union is registered.
The Central Committee expressed solidarity with the workers of Ferro Scrap Nigam Ltd. (FSNL), who have resorted to an indefinite strike from September 28. The workers have gone on strike against the government’s move to privatize FSNL, which is a profit-making miniratna company. The plan is to sell the company to a Japanese MNC. This is a self-defeating move as FSNL is part of the key steel industry of the country.
Brazen Support to Israel
The Modi government has abandoned India’s long-standing policy of support to the Palestinian cause. In the UN General Assembly, when a resolution was placed calling upon Israel to withdraw from occupied territories within 12 months, India did not vote for the resolution, but abstained.
The government is allowing arms and explosives manufactured in India to be exported to Israel. These weapons are being used by the Israeli armed forces in Gaza. The Central Committee demands an immediate ban on exports of arms to Israel.
Campaign Calls
The Central Committee called upon all its Party units to join the Left parties call to observe October 7 as a protest day on the first anniversary of Israel’s genocidal war against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
The Central Committee decided to conduct a campaign on the following issues:
(i) Against the `One Nation, One Election’ proposal.
(ii) Against price rise and for reduction in the retail prices of petrol and diesel.
(iii) Against unemployment and privatization of basic services.
(iv) Steps to curb crimes against women and sexual assaults on girl children.
The Central Committee decided that a week-long campaign should be conducted in each state within the period from October 15 to November 15, 2024.
October 1, 2024
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