CPM slams Modi’s Hindu-minority region comment

KOCHI: CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury has come out against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his statement that Congress leaders are fleeing from Hindu majority areas. Speaking at a meet the press programme in Kochi on Wednesday, Yechury said that the Prime Minister should not have divided people into Hindus, Muslims, Christians and atheists.
On whether Congress gave a platform for BJP to launch such kind of a campaign, Yechury said that the BJP would have done the same even without getting such an opportunity.“This shows the very sick mindset of the Prime Minister. This is how you (BJP) divide the people of the country,” he said.
Yechury said that the party was working hard to improve the tally of CPM MPs compared to the numbers in 2014. “National party status of CPM has been under question since 2014. After the party candidates’ failure in Tamil Nadu in the last assembly elections, the CPM has lost the national party status. Now, the party is trying to secure maximum seats and retain the national party status,” he said.
Responding to a query about LDF convener A Vijayaraghavan’s derogatory comments on UDF candidate Ramya Haridas, Yechury remained elusive and said, “CPM’s position on women equality and respect is uncompromising. Our party won’t compromise on issues related to equality and respect to women as well as other marginalised classes like dalits and tribals. The state committee of the party is competent to take care of the issue. The committee will look into the issue”. There will not be any intervention from the party central leadership, he said.
Yechury said that third alternative to NDA and UPA could be floated after polls. On a query about the viability of income guarantee scheme announced by the Congress in its manifesto, Yechury said that introducing the scheme alone won’t do. “How will we raise funds for the same is all the more important. CPM has made it clear in its manifesto that where the money will come from. The money can be raised by taxing the superrich. Wealth tax, tax on capital gains, etc. should be charged on them. This is the plan of CPM,” Yechury said.