Will scrap draconian laws: CPM manifesto

On its list: CAA, PMLA, AFSPA, NSA, UAPA

THE CPI(M) has said it will scrap laws such as the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which “empowers the Enforcement Directorate (ED)”, the Unlawful Activities Act (UAPA) that deals with terrorism, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) if voted to power. The party has made these promises in its manifesto released Thursday.

“The CPI(M) stands for the scrapping of all draconian laws like UAPA and PMLA … The ED must be divested of its law-enforcement powers … Repeal the UAPA, National Security Act (NSA) and the AFSPA,” reads the manifesto.

The CPI(M) has pledged to “fight for an uncompromising adherence to the principle that religion is separated from politics, the State, the government and administration”, adding that it will “fight for a law against hate speech and crimes” and emphasised its commitment to “scrapping the CAA”.

The manifesto says that the Lok Sabha polls are “taking place at a time when the secular, democratic, Republic of India faces an existential crisis created by the Modi-led decade-long rule of the

BJP government”. Emphasising that “it is the bounden duty of every patriot to first and foremost ensure the defeat of the BJP and its allies”, the manifesto calls for repealing anti-conversion laws in states.

The manifesto flags the “attack on the federal structure”, and promises 50% of the total collection of central taxes to states. It calls for the “Governor to be chosen out of a panel of three eminent persons proposed by the Chief Minister”.

On the economic front, the manifesto promises to revisit and reverse the privatisation of public sector units (PSUS) and higher taxes on the super-rich. It also promisesalegalguaranteeofmsp for farmers as per the Swaminathan Commission recommendations.fullreporton

CPM leaders in New Delhi on Thursday.