India
oi-Deepika S
Kochi, Feb 14: On Sunday, the CPI’s national secretary general, D Raja, criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ‘jumping’ to the states linked to the polls, but not finding time to meet with representatives of farmers who have been agitating for more than two months , demanding the repeal of the three controversial agricultural laws.
The attack on Modi came on a day when he was in the city to inaugurate a series of development projects, including the 6 billion rupee petrochemical complex of major oil company Bharat Petroleum, hours after his visit to Tamil Nadu to inaugurate the Chennai Metro phase. I extend and lay the foundation stones from various other schemes.
Raja also attacked the opposition led by the UDF Congress for criticizing the issue of the entry of women into Sabarimala before the assembly elections, to be held in April-May.
Addressing CPI (M) -LDF workers here after opening the southern leg of the left-wing rally, led by CPI leader Binoy Vishwam, Raja said the Prime Minister was in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and in Kerala
“Why is the prime minister going to the states where elections are held? … But Modi does not have time to address the concerns of farmers and has not met with their representatives until now,” he said.
Lakhs of farmers have stayed on Delhi’s borders for more than two months, demanding the repeal of the three controversial farm laws, which, he said, do not benefit the country or farmers.
The states had not been consulted and this was an attack on the federal structure, he said.
“Modiji aap kya Kisan ke sath hain?” (Modiji, are you with the farmers?) He asked.
Farmers create wealth and must be protected.
“Modi protects the crony capitalists and believes that serving their interests is serving the country,” he alleged.
The BJP and UDF cannot “fool” people by raising religious questions, he said.
“The Sabarimala issue is before the Supreme Court. Let the court render its verdict. The LDF government will act appropriately.
Politics and religion must remain separate. Why is the UDF turning it into an electoral issue? He asked.
PM Modi launches projects in Kerala, focuses on tourism
Kerala should emerge as a role model for the country to fight communal and corporate elements, he said.
Attacking the BJP-RSS combined for posing a “grave threat” to the country’s constitution, he alleged that they have “unleashed aggressive campaigns against minority, Dalit Adivasis. We are seeing this from Karnataka to Uttar Pradesh.
The prime minister was also targeted for privatizing public sector companies, which Raja said was the “backbone” of the country’s economy.
He said the chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, had taken on the Center over the privatization of airports.
“But the Modi government is determined to hand over the airports and Air India and the ports to private players,” Raja said.
The CM had inaugurated on Saturday the northern part of the demonstration, led by the LDF coordinator, Vijayaraghavan, in the Kasaragod district.
Vijayan had lashed out at the Opposition Congress and the BJP, saying that both parties lost their ties in Kerala and that people were looking forward to the continuation of the left-wing government in the state.
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