Lok Sabha Polls: CPI Manifesto Promises Caste Census, Vows To Scrap CAA, 50% Cap On Reservations — Details

The Communist Party of India party called for the defeat of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to save secular democracy. It said the 10-year BJP rule has proven to be a disaster for the country.

New Delhi:  The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Saturday released its election manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, promising to revoke the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act, eliminate the 50 per cent cap on reservations for marginalised communities, and increase the daily wage under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to Rs 700. The Left party called for the defeat of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to safeguard secular democracy.

It stated, "The 10-year BJP rule has proven to be a disaster for the country". The Communist Party of India (CPI) outlined an agenda in its manifesto, promising significant reforms if elected to power. Among its key pledges are the scrapping of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, removal of the 50 per cent cap on reservations, and conducting a caste census.

Additionally, the CPI vows to introduce taxation measures such as wealth and inheritance taxes, increase corporate tax, implement reservation in the private sector, and raise the daily wage under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to Rs 700. 

 After releasing the manifesto, CPI general secretary D Raja said, "The elections are very critical for the country and its future. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's rule has been disastrous for the country. The Constitution is under attack. BJP being political army of RSS is trying to change the Constitution and ultimately replace it". news agency PTI reported.

CPI Promises To Bring ED, CBI Under Purview Of Parliament, Abolish Governor's Office

The CPI said if elected to power, it would introduce measures to address the growing inequality. Additionally, the CPI proposes to enhance parliamentary oversight by bringing central investigative agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under the purview of Parliament. Furthermore, the party pledges to escalate its efforts in the struggle for the abolition of the Governor's Office, as per the PTI report.

The manifesto advocates for empowering elected state governments to make significant policy decisions. The CPI said it will continue to fight politically and legally to remove the arbitrary cap of 50 per cent on reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs, and implement women's reservation immediately by removing the clause relating to delimitation and census.

Additionally, the party pledges to enhance the scope of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to provide 200 work days in a calendar year and proposes the introduction of an Urban Employment Guarantee Act. Furthermore, the CPI promises to champion social security measures for gig-workers. CPI General Secretary D Raja affirmed the party's dedication to advocating for the people's issues once the new government assumes office.