Bagalkote: In a recent address to the media, Minister Priyank Kharge raised questions about the progress made by the BJP-led government at the Centre. While acknowledging the construction of the Ram Mandir, Kharge expressed concerns about the envisioned "Rama Rajya," stressing the need for a society built on principles of social and economic equality.
He questioned the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government “Good that you have built Ram Mandir, but when are you building Ram Rajya where everyone will be treated with social and economic equality?”
Kharge criticized the Centre, stating that the people's expectations of an unemployment-free and economically empowering regime were far from reality.
He accused the previous government in the state of focusing on Hindutva and highlighted the statements made by Speaker Kageri, who affirmed his allegiance to the RSS while occupying the Speaker's chair.
Contrasting this, Kharge emphasized that the country should run on the principles of Basava and Ambedkar, rather than religious texts. He asserted that the current government in Karnataka adheres to constitutional values.
Addressing BJP MLA Yatnal's allegations of a ₹40,000 crore scam during the COVID-19 pandemic in the state, Kharge urged Yatnal to release relevant documents. Kharge questioned the whereabouts of BJP leaders who previously accused the Congress of making false allegations of a 40% commission on Bommai-led BJP government in the state.
He demanded responses from BJP state president B. Y. Vijayendra and opposition leader R. Ashok regarding the allegations made by Yatnal.
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New Delhi (PTI): CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby on Thursday asserted that the Left movement would remain relevant despite not being in power in any state, saying the ideology would continue to endure as long as social and economic inequalities persist.
Hitting back at BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar over his reported remarks that Marxism had become irrelevant, Baby, in an interview with PTI Videos, said, "So long as there is division in society, so long as there is exploitation of the majority of workers, peasants and ordinary masses by a handful of billionaires, Marxism will remain relevant."
"That perhaps Mr Rajeev Chandrasekhar may not be able to understand, but this is the fact of the matter," he said.
Baby acknowledged that the CPI(M)-led Left was currently without an elected government in any state, but maintained that electoral setbacks would not diminish the movement's role.
"We may not have an elected government in any state. There were occasions when we didn't have a government. But the red flag and the commitment to organise and struggle for the rights of the dispossessed, marginalised and exploited will always be upheld by CPI(M) and the Left movement," he said.
He said the Left continued to enjoy support among workers, peasants, agricultural labourers, youth, students and women, and argued that the movement remained necessary because "oppression and assault" continued in society.
"So long as such problems exist in society, the red flag and the working class movement will continue to work among the masses," the Left leader said.
Exuding confidence on the Left's revival, Baby said the party would reflect on the reasons behind its electoral loss.
"We may be rejected in one election, but we will stage our comeback by understanding what went wrong with us," he said, adding, "We will listen to people and we will come back with higher strength."
Baby also criticised the Congress over reported factional tensions in Kerala after the Congress-led United Democratic Front's victory in the state.
"The way they are behaving is being watched by the people of Kerala," he said, referring to infighting within the Congress.
"Those who have given a massive majority to Congress and UDF would be watching all this," he added, while urging party leaders to "settle the problem in an amicable, democratic manner".
Referring to West Bengal, Baby alleged that violence had escalated following the BJP's victory in the state assembly polls.
"It is quite unfortunate that the moment BJP snatched a massive victory in West Bengal, violence has also started on a big scale," he said.
He also accused the Trinamool Congress of being "notorious for violent activities" and alleged that the "RSS-controlled BJP" had "unleashed violence in many places" after the election results.
"This is not good for Bengal, not good for the country. We wish and hope that normalcy would be restored as soon as possible," he said.
Baby said the CPI(M) and the Left in West Bengal would continue efforts to "pacify people" and avoid violence and confrontation.
Asked about former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan not reacting publicly to the election results, Baby said Vijayan would respond "at an appropriate time".
