CPM manifesto: Old wine in new bottle

The manifesto released by the CPI-M for the April/May general election has little to offer other than a restatement of the party's known positions on various political and economic issues.

On the political front, the party is still to make up its mind on what strategy it should adopt in the event of the Third Front coming a cropper after the elections. The latest indication is that in such an eventuality, the CPM may support the Congress to the keep BJP away.

The party has not spelt out a clear action plan to deal with the impact of meltdown. It is still harping on its opposition to FDI in retail, insurance, etc and privatisation of profit making PSUs.

The manifesto has called for government control of the financial sector.

The party, which held the balance of power for most of the tenure of the Congress Party-led government before withdrawing its support last year, also said it proposed a complete halt to the privatisation of profitable state firms.

"The country requires alternative policies. Pro-people economic policies, provision of social equity, consistent secularism, genuine federalism and an independent foreign policy," the election manifesto said.

The CPI(M) also proposed banning foreign investment in the retail sector, as well as guidelines to prevent the entry of foreign firms into some of India's domestic markets.

It also said it would stop joint military exercises deals with the United States.

The party's manifesto gives a detailed account of how Left support to UPA helped in policy formulation in key areas of economy and society and why it withdrew support.

The manifesto states that the CPM would pursue "universal nuclear disarmament through the UN; provide parliamentary sanction for moratorium on testing and strive for a de-nuclearised environment in South Asia”.

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