New Delhi buzzed with political intensity on Tuesday as an all-party meeting convened ahead of the Parliament’s Budget Session, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Representing the Communist Party of India (CPI), Rajya Sabha MP P. Santosh Kumar seized the platform to spotlight pressing concerns spanning finance, democracy, security, and foreign policy.
Kerala’s mounting financial woes took center stage. CPI demanded a special financial package for the state, hammered by the Centre’s borrowing caps. ‘This fiscal year alone, Kerala faces a resource deficit exceeding ₹21,000 crore,’ Kumar asserted, urging immediate central intervention to avert a deepening crisis in such states.
Turning to electoral integrity, CPI lambasted the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, now morphing into what they call ‘Special Intensive Exclusion.’ ‘In democracy, voters choose rulers—not the other way around,’ Kumar warned. He accused the Election Commission of veering towards an ‘elimination commission,’ eroding foundational democratic norms.
On internal security, sharp criticism targeted Operation Kagar. CPI alleged that under its guise, innocent tribals are being victimized. They pressed for full disclosure in Parliament—details of the operation’s scope, progress, and safeguards—to uphold transparency and accountability.
Foreign policy drew equal scrutiny. CPI highlighted India’s feeble responses to global flashpoints: Donald Trump’s aggressive posturing, Venezuela’s turmoil, and Greenland disputes. ‘Our independent foreign policy tradition is crumbling,’ they charged, calling for a robust stance to reclaim India’s global stature.
Domestic agendas loomed large too. CPI reiterated demands for salary hikes for ASHA workers, as previously assured by the Health Minister. They slammed MGNREGA’s decline—delayed payments, slashed budgets, fewer workdays—crippling rural livelihoods amid farm distress and joblessness. ‘Revive and fully fund this vital scheme,’ they implored.
Further calls included scrapping anti-worker Labour Codes, opposing the farmer-unfriendly Seed Bill, and hiking the Centre’s share in sponsored schemes to 75:25 for better state-led welfare. As the Budget Session dawns, CPI stressed that safeguarding democracy, federalism, and livelihoods demands urgent parliamentary focus.