The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : CPI (M) should double its strength in Assembly: Karat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 18, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

CPI (M) should double its strength in Assembly: Karat

Special Correspondent

Says this will enable the party to ensure that the new government fulfils commitments

CHENNAI: Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat said here on Friday that the party should strive to double its strength in the Tamil Nadu Assembly in the coming elections.

In the 13th Assembly, the party had six MLAs. This should be doubled to ensure that pro-people policies were pursued.

"It is also necessary to increase the strength of the CPI (M) in Tamil Nadu. As you know we have six MLAs.

We should be able to double that at least ... that means that when the new government is formed in Tamil Nadu, with the increased strength of the CPI (M) and the Left parties, we will be in a better position to intervene to see that the new government fulfils its commitments to the people.

"We will be in a better position to intervene to protect the interests of the working class and all other toiling sections of the people. Just as at the Centre ... in Tamil Nadu also we assure you that if we increase our strength in the Assembly, you will find a powerful shield to protect the interests of the people," he said.

Endorses candidature

Addressing a public meeting at Perambur organised by the north Chennai unit of the party to hand over funds collected for election expenses, he virtually endorsed the candidature of DYFI leader and sitting MLA Mahendran.

"You have seen the work done by our representative, comrade Mahendran. And I can assure you, after these elections, when you return comrade Mahendran to the Assembly, it will help project the policies of the party."

Mr. Karat referred to the many "anti-people and anti-democratic" acts of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government and said the time had come for like-minded forces to pool in their efforts, "so that we can successfully end the reign of the Jayalalithaa Government and usher in a new government in Tamil Nadu."

`Strengthen Left'

The CPI (M) and the Left parties had fought forces that tried to use religion for political purposes.

"Today in our country if there is any consistent force against communalism, against those who try to use people's religious sentiments for their selfish ends, it is the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Left forces," he said.

These forces needed to be strengthened as communal forces were rearing their head in some parts of the country.

Mr. Karat said the CPI (M) would not allow the UPA Government to take any measures that would affect the interest of farmers, industrial workers, small shopkeepers, youth, women, students and ordinary people.

"We judge the policies whether they are in people's interests or the country's interest and then decide if we have to support or oppose the policies," he said,.

He added that the party would continue to put pressure on the Government to fulfil the promises and commitments it made.

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