The Communist Party of India (Marxist) leadership, which today discussed the situation in the violence-ridden panchayat polls in West Bengal, has decided to conduct a countrywide campaign on August 7 to save democracy and defeat the politics of violence and terror in the Mamata Banerjee-ruled state.
"As far as the West Bengal panchayat elections are concerned, three phases of this election have been held so far and it has been marred by widespread attacks, booth capturing, prevention of people from voting and attacks on the Left Front and opposition workers. 19 of the CPI (M) and Left Front members and supporters have been killed in this election. And this is becoming a rigged election," said Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Prakash Karat after the meeting.
"Therefore, the politburo has decided to conduct a countrywide campaign. And on the 7th of August, we shall observe a day to save democracy and to defeat the politics of violence and terror in West Bengal," he added.
At least two people - one from the CPI (M) and another from the TMC - were killed in poll-related clashes in West Bengal yesterday where three districts voted in the third phase of the panchayat polls.
Karat informed that the politburo also discussed the situation arising out of this solar panel scam in Kerala.
"This is not an ordinary fraud or cheating case, the involvement of the people in the Chief Minister's office has already come to light. And the links of the Chief Minister on this affair are also coming out. Therefore, we fully endorse the stand taken by the LDF in Kerala to demand the resignation of the Chief Minister Oomen Chandy and for a judicial probe," he said.
The CPI (M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala have so far demanded Chandy's resignation for his alleged role in a scam involving the manufacture and sale of solar panels. The LDF has also sought a judicial probe in the matter.
The solar scam pertains to cheating several persons amounting to crores of rupees by Saritha Nair and her accomplice Biju Radhakrishnan by offering solar panel solutions.
It took a political turn with the arrest of one of Chandy's close personal aides, who has alleged links with the accused. Two other employees in his personal staff have also been removed in connection with the scam.
The party leaders also decided their strategy for the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament in the wake of the UPA Government's key decisions.
"The politburo discussed the Food Security Ordinance which has been promulgated and we have decided on the objections we have to the legislation because it does not really provide for effective Food Security and we have decided on the amendments that we would like to move in the Parliament when the bill comes up," said Karat.
"We have also discussed the political situation in the country and the politburo has decided that we will pursue the alternative policies that we feel are required in this situation and conduct a campaign along with the Left Parties to rally support for this alternative policies," he added.
