New Delhi, Nov 29 (UNI) Expressing confidence that 'notebandi' (demoneistation) programme would prove to be the nemesis of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the way ‘mighty’ Indira Gandhi was defeated because of 'Nasbandi, or the vasectomy programme, Communist Party of Inida-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Thursday said that one should not underestimate the wisdom of common people.
Talking to reporters in a ‘meet the press programme’, organised by the Indian Women Press Corp (IWPC) here, Mr Yechury said,'even if the Congress is a secular party, it has an inclination to compromise with soft hinduwa and communalism.'
He said that his party will fight against it.
“We always maintain that the Congress has a proclivity towards soft hindutwa and indulging in communal politics. They are a secular party with some compromises with communalism”, Mr Yechury said.
Criticising the Narendra Modi-led Union Government, the CPI(M) general secretary said country’s farmers are bringing back the bread and butter issue (in the narrative), which was ignored by the Prime Minister and the BJP.
He said that instead of focusing on these issues, what is being seen is the worst form of vote bank politics and added that the saffron party is trying to replace the constitutional order with a Hindutwa government.
“Even the mighty Indira Gandhi was defeated. Then it was 'nasbandi' and now 'notebandi' will play against Modi government”, Mr Yechury said.
The CPI(M) leader alleged that the Modi government is the classic post truth government.
“Look at the GDP figures. There is a famous saying - lies damn lies and statistics. This is the classic case of statistics being distorted to suit their agenda”, he said.
He also pointed out that the Union government did not publish the employment survey of 2016-17 for 18 months and Agricultural Ministry withdrew its report submitted to the standing committee, because it would have an adverse effect.
“There are ways to address these issues. Even if half of the NPA money comes back, we have enough money to build infrastructure to employ the youth. However, there is only statistics manipulation and propaganda blitz”, Mr Yechury added.
Amid the talks to form a Mahagathbandan (grand alliance) against the Modi government, Mr Yechury ruled out forming pre-poll alliance at the national level.
“In India, given the diversity, there can never be an all India pre- poll alliance, but it is happening at the state level. In UP, SP and BSP are forming alliance, in Bihar RJD will be the central party, in Tamil Nadu it will be the DMK. Likewise there will be different combinations. From 1997 onwards , all coalitions were post poll arrangements”, he added.
He also said that there was no confusion over the leadership of the opposition parties and added that “who would have thought Manmohan Singh would become PM in 2004? He was the longest serving PM since Nehru. Even Indira Gandhi’s term was interrupted”
He alleged that BJP was playing a dangerous game in Jammu and Kahsmir and the alienation of the state had increased.
“It is unfortunate to keep the Jammu and Kashmir pot simmering as part of a communal agenda in run up to the 2019 elections”, he said.
UNI KNA AR 2049