The left front on Saturday unveiled its manifesto for the West Bengal assembly polls, promising to restore the rule of law in the state, and stressing that the Citizenship Amendment Act won't be implemented under any circumstance. The CPI(M)-led front pledged to adhere to the principles of secularism and ensure the safety of linguistic and religious minorities, including Muslims.
The manifesto, released by left front Chairman Biman Bose at the CPI(M) state headquarters, said that "the BJP government at the Centre has attacked the secular and pluralistic fabric of the country. Religion has been used as a yardstick for determining citizenship. The rights of minorities are gradually declining."
The left parties also accused the Trinamool Congress government in the state of "playing communal card". When "the TMC is having a secret understanding with the BJP", the left front "would strictly follow the principles of secularism and not interfere in one's religious practice," the manifesto said. "CAA, NRC shall not be implemented in the state," it said.
Criticising the new farm laws of the Centre, the manifesto vowed to ensure that farmers get minimum support price for their produce. They also promised that tests for recruitment of teachers at primary, secondary and higher secondary schools will be regularised.
In Assam, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi released his party's election manifesto, making "five guarantees" that included Rs 2,000 per month for every housewife and law to nullify the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The Congress also promised to waive off farmers' agriculture debts and women's loans from micro-finance institutes, distribute kerosene and sugar through PDS, offer lunch at Rs 10 and price a quintal of rice at Rs 2,500.
"Though Congress symbol is there in the document, actually it is a people's manifesto. It contains the aspirations of the people of Assam," Gandhi said.
In its manifesto, the Congress also "guaranteed" five lakh jobs in the public sector, 200 units of free electricity per month for all and a hike in the minimum wages of tea garden workers to Rs 365.
Gandhi said Congress guarantees to defend the "idea of Assam" that contains culture, language, tradition, history and the way of thinking. "This is our commitment. You are aware that BJP and RSS are attacking the diverse culture of India and Assam. We will defend that," he told reporters.
The opposition party promised to waive off debt for women, who have taken loans from micro-finance banks. "Agricultural debt will be waived off for farmers, the country's food providers," the manifesto said. The party, if voted to power, will restart the distribution of kerosene and sugar through the public distribution system at "minimum price", the manifesto said.
-Inputs from PTI
