Elections 2019: CPI(M), CPI(ML) Extend Full Support to AAP in Delhi
Representational Image. Image Coutesy: Hindustan Times
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist (Liberation) have decided to extend support to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the upcoming election for seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi to ensure a ‘comprehensive defeat of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’.
The National Capital will vote in the sixth phase of the election on May 12. Both the Left parties issued press statements highlighting how the last five years had witnessed an unprecedented attack on the people, democratic institutions and the Constitution of the country by the BJP-ruled government at the Centre.
In a statement, the CPI(M) has stated that the last five years of BJP-RSS-led National Democratic Alliance government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been an “unmitigated disaster” for the country and people. This government has promoted heinous attacks on Muslims and dalits and has actively engaged in sharpening of communal polarisation, the party said.
The CPI(M) also believes that in Delhi, the Central government has misused the office of the Lt. Governor to obstruct the functioning of the elected state government. Besides, it has reneged on its promise to grant full statehood to Delhi.
Clarifying why the party had decided to support AAP and not Congress, the CPI(M) said it believes that Congress cannot provide a credible challenge to BJP in Delhi, in the state. “It (Congress) has played a negative role vis-à-vis the AAP state government and it appears to consider the AAP and not the BJP as its main enemy in Delhi,” the party said.
The CPI-ML has stated that the BJP- led government had made a “mockery of the 2014 promise of Achhe Din”, as in last five years the unemployment rate was the highest in 45 years, agrarian distress had intensified, labour laws were being rendered toothless and women’s security and freedom were at their weakest.
Therefore, in Delhi, the CPI (ML) said it had decided to extend its support to AAP in all seven Lok Sabha constituencies.
Besides, both the Left parties said they also believe that Congress has adopted ‘soft Hindutva’ tactics and targeted the Left by fielding Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad in Kerala. “Therefore, there is no question of CPI(M) supporting any Congress candidate in Delhi” the press release stated.
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