Following the exodus of political parties from the ruling United Progressive Alliance and the Opposition National Democratic Alliance, the Left parties have got together to form an “alternative policy platform” to attract allies.
A convention of four Left parties here on Monday decided to reach out to all non-Congress, non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secular parties to form a front based on an alternative set of policies. The parties claimed that their policy suggestions would be the basis for a non-Congress, non-BJP Government at the Centre.
CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said the alternative policies were based on 10 key features, such as implementation of land reform measures, distribution of surplus land to the landless and ensuring house sites to each landless households.
It also called for ending forcible land acquisition, ensuring remunerative prices for farmers and cheap credit for farmers, based on the Swaminathan Commission Report.
The Left parties’ policies favour nationalisation of mining and oil resources and also promise stepping up of public investment for infrastructure and setting up of manufacturing and other industries for more employment.
Pitching for tax reforms, the Left parties said loopholes in taxation measures should be plugged to ensure collection of legitimate taxes; regulation of speculative financial flows into the country and curbs on opening up of the financial sector. The parties reiterated their opposition to foreign direct investment in retail trade.
Universal PDS
Karat said an additional Rs 50,000 crore to the proposed Food Security Act would have ensured universalisation of the public distribution system and demanded 35 kg foodgrains at a maximum price of Rs 2 a kg a month for all families.
Enacting Lokpal legislation with independent powers of investigation, one-third reservation for women in Parliament and legislatures, protection of rights of Dalits and extension of reservation for SC/STs in the private sector, reservation for minorities, enforcement of fair minimum wage, ending contractualisation and casualisation of labour and an independent foreign policy are part of the alternative policy framework.