CPM has given a call to the both TDP and Jana Sena, key partners of the ruling coalition in Andhra Pradesh, to change their attitude towards the Narendra Modi-s led central government, which is attacking rights of the states.
Speaking as chief guest at the inaugural session of the CPM 2th state conference in Nellore, party politburo member MA Baby said that secular and democratic forces are the alternative to the BJP’s communalism that is spreading in the country and the state.
The three-day CPM Andhra Pradesh 27th conference began with enthusiasm on Saturday. Senior party leader Penumalli Madhu unfurled the party flag. The premises where the conference is being held were named as Comrade Sitaram Yechury Nagar. The inaugural session was presided over by party central committee member MA Gafoor.
MA Baby delivering the inaugural address of the conference asked what is the stance of TDP and Jana Sena on central-state relations? He deplored that the UGC has issued guidelines to the governors to directly appoint vice-chancellors to universities under the state government without working with the state governments.
If the Centre makes a law like that, he cautioned the states will have no power over the universities run by their funds. What will the TDP and Jana Sena say about the evil policies that damage the spirit of the federation? Baby questioned.
While all the states together spend 60 percent of the funds for the welfare of the people, he said that the Centre is spending only 40 percent. Moreover, he alleged that the Center is the reverse in the distribution of resources. The Centre is giving 40 percent of the collected taxes to the states and taking away 60 percent, he added.
Baby lamented that the Modi government has chosen a dirty trick by imposing surcharges and cesses outside the scope of the Finance Commission that allocates funds to the states. While the Modi government is boasting that the country is developing, he deplored that the TDP and Jana Sena are singing.
He recalled that India is at the bottom of the hunger index. Will both those parties respond to this?, he asked. In eight years, Baby said that 1,474 farmers committed suicide and 34 suicides per day. He alleged that the reason for the suicides is the BJP government. Stating that inciting suicide is a crime, he said that Modi, Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman deserve to be punished.