Apr 08, 2014
Addressing press persons in Thiruvananthapuram today, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said that BJP's Election Manifesto reinforces its communal agenda. The commitment to build the Ram Temple at Ayodhya, the repeal of Article 370 of the Constitution and introduction of a Uniform Civil Code -- all point to the BJP falling back to its communal agenda. Narendra Modi’s choice of contesting from Varanasi further reinforces this he said. After the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, the RSS and it outfits had warned that Kashi and Mathura would be their next target. It’s not a coincidence, therefore, that Modi has decided to contest from Varanasi. The timing of the manifesto, released on the first day of the first phase of polling, is highly problematic, Karat said.
Prakash said that that Defence Minister, A K Antony’s dream of Congress forming the next government at the centre will remain unfulfilled as a massive anti-Congress wave is sweeping the country. This will reflect even in Congress strongholds like Andhra Pradesh where they bagged an impressive number of seats in the last elections. An equally dismal situation is expected in Tamil Nadu as well, he added.
Karat said that as opposed to the Congress and the BJP, in most states, non-Congress, non-BJP parties are likely to win since people are seeking an alternative to these two parties. The regional parties, he said, which have come together on a common platform as an alternative to the BJP and the Congress, will perform well. He also added that Left Parties are likely to gain more seats this time in Kerala and West Bengal, as compared to 2009.
April 7, 2014
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