CPI(M) to stage country wide-protests against Price rise

CPI(M) will launch a week-long country-wide protest from July 11 to 17 against price rise and unemployment. The spiralling prices of essential commodities, including vegetables, pulses and sugar, making life of common man difficult, CPI(M) politbureau member Prakash Karat told reporters after a two-day party state committee here.

The food inflation rate is over 7.5 per cent now. This shows that the government’s approach has contributed to price rise and inflation, he said.

Instead of passing on the benefit of reduced prices on crude oil, government has increased excise duty on petrol and diesel, Karat said.

The agitation would also press for withdrawal of excise duty to reduce fuel prices and take measures against hoarders and speculators in the commodity market.  On the employment front, the NDA government failed to create enough during its last two years, he alleged demanded that the ban on recruitment for government jobs at central and state level be lifted.

According to the Seventh Pay Commission, there are 7.47 lakh vacancies in the central government departments which are yet to be filled up, he said.

Karat alleged that in West Bengal, CPI(M) workers were being attacked by Trinamool Congress activists. Party offices and houses of cadres and supporters were “destroyed” after the recent assembly elections, he said.

“An attempt is being made to eliminate our party and Left front,” he charged. CPI(M) will be organising a campaign in the first week of August against the “violence and terror tactics” by TMC workers in West Bengal, he said.

On the CPI(M)-Congress tie up in West Bengal during the assembly polls, he said, “The past is over. In future there should no electoral alliances with Congress.” “The central committee, held recently, had discussed the matter and concluded that election tactics pursued in West Bengal of having an understanding with Congress was not in conformity with party Congress’ tactical line and the central committee’s decision.

“So we have said this should be rectified. So there can be no alliances or understanding with Congress in West Bengal in the coming days,” he said.