Common platform being formed to fight BJP government: CPI-M

A common platform with people from all sections and secular-democratic forces is being formed at the national level to fight against "mis-governance and anti-people policies" of the BJP-led government at the Centre, top CPI-M leaders said here on Wednesday.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Politburo members -- Prakash Karat and Manik Sarkar, who is also the Chief Minister of Tripura -- while addressing a gathering on the occasion of the centenary of the Russian Revolution informed people about the common platform.

"With the involvement of students, youths, workers, labourers, government and non-government employees, bank and insurance sector staff, and farmers and various secular-democratic organisations, a common platform is being formed at the national level to fight against the government," Karat said.

The Left leader in his 54-minute speech said by forging an alliance with America, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government was trying to set up a base of the US military in India.

"When Communist leaders fought tooth and nail against the British rulers, the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), and Hindu Mahasabha took the side of the Britishers and fought against the Muslims. Now the BJP is calling the Left anti-national."

"Because of the Left parties' strength and popularity, the BJP in its last National Executive Conference decided to concentrate on Kerala, Tripura and West Bengal. In Kerala, since October 3, they have launched a campaign to finish the Left Front and the Muslims."

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said the BJP came to power by giving a slogan of change for better, but the central government was turning the situation in the country from bad to worse.

"Do not judge the strength of the Left parties numerically at Parliament and the assemblies. The Left Front, especially the CPI-M, is taking the leading role to end the people's sufferings," said Sarkar, who has been the Chief Minister of Tripura for 19 years.

He said the under-formation common platform would go from the national capital to villages across the country with common demands of the people.

"We have never seen such an anti people government in the country after India's Independence," he added.

CPI-M Tripura state secretary and party's central committee member Bijan Dhar also spoke to the gathering at the Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan here.

--IANS

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