Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a pivotal all-party conclave in New Delhi Tuesday, setting the tone for the upcoming Budget Session. CPI’s P. Santosh Kumar, Rajya Sabha MP, delivered a pointed agenda, flagging fiscal inequities, democratic erosions, security excesses, and foreign policy drifts.
Kerala’s crisis headlined: Centre’s debt ceilings inflict a staggering ₹21,000 crore deficit. CPI advocated a targeted bailout package, imploring federal solidarity to rescue beleaguered states.
Voter rolls revisions sparked outrage. Dubbed ‘Special Intensive Expulsion’ by CPI, SIR inverts power dynamics—rulers selecting voters over vice versa. ‘The Election Commission edges toward voter elimination,’ Kumar alerted.
Internally, Operation Kagar faces accusations of tribal persecution. CPI mandated complete disclosure in the House for public scrutiny and operational legitimacy.
Abroad, India’s responses falter against Trump’s saber-rattling, Venezuelan instability, and Greenland frictions, diluting our proud non-aligned heritage, per CPI.
Key reforms sought: Honor ASHA wage hike promises. Revitalize MGNREGA amid payment lags, budget squeezes, and work shortages fueling rural despair.
Broader appeals: Repeal anti-labor codes, nix the pro-corporate Seed Bill, adjust scheme shares to 75:25. CPI urged the Budget Session to confront these head-on, ensuring democracy’s resilience, federal balance, and livelihood protections.