People's Democracy

PRAKASH KARAT IN MUMBAI

Elect RLDF Candidates And

Change Course of Maharashtra Politics

CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat has called upon the people of Maharashtra to bring about a change in the course of state politics by choosing the Republican Left Democratic Front (RLDF) candidates over those of the Congress-NCP and BJP-Shiv Sena combines in the elections to the state assembly on October 13.

Addressing an election campaign meeting of the RLDF on October 4, night in Andheri East constituency of Mumbai, from where the CPI(M) candidate Advocate Chandrakant Bhojagar is contesting, Karat said both the combines pursue similar anti-people economic policies and need to be defeated.

Severely attacking the Congress-NCP regime for failing to address the people's problems in their long tenure of 10 years, Karat said the grim poverty in the state, the spate of suicides in Vidarbha, the massive job losses due to the economic crisis are all a pointer to this government's failure on all fronts. It was only the billionaires, the rich capitalists, who have benefited under both the combines.

Cautioning against the BJP-RSS-Shiv Sena combine's dangerous communal politics which was once again seen in the state during the recent riots in Miraj and Sangli, Karat asked what would be the benefit for the people if such combine comes to power in the state,. To bring in a government that cares for the common people, the voters must elect the RLDF candidates. Karat said the RLDF is not only a secular alternative but also committed to implement pro-people economic policies.

Karat expressed concern over the money power in elections, including the last parliamentary elections. He charged both Congress and BJP of subverting democracy by resorting to money power in elections and said the CPI(M) has raised this issue with the Election Commission.

Republican Party of India president Ramdas Athavle in his speech expressed confidence that the RLDF would fare well in the coming polls. He attacked MNS leader Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena for their attacks on North Indians and others who come to Mumbai for their livelihood. He cited the ongoing attacks against Indians in Australia and asked these parties whether they approve the same. He called upon the poor people of Maharashtra to show their strength by electing RLDF candidates in big numbers.

CPI(M) state secretary Dr Ashok Dhawale, CPI(M) candidate Advocate  Chandrakant Bhojagar, Samajwadi Party leaders and Mumbai CPI(M) secretary Mahendra Singh were among those who addressed the meeting. (NSA)