Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) leader Brinda Karat on Friday said the communists fought election to reflect the struggles, rights, and voices of the people in Parliament, Assemblies, and local bodies.
Speaking at a public meeting at Purasawalkam in Chennai, Ms. Karat alleged that parliamentary democracy under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre had been changed into “corporate democracy”. She said through various trusts, corporates transferred thousands of crores to the BJP as donations.
“They follow a give-and-take policy. If corporates give money, the Modi government will give them licences. If corporates give more money, the Modi government will give them national assets. If corporates give even more money, the Modi government would even give them the Parliament,” she alleged.
Ms. Karat recalled the formation of the first trade union in India, the Madras Labour Union, in 1918 by communist leader Singaravelar. “Today, we see the legacy of that culture. Nearly ₹20 lakh has been donated by the Chennai Central party committee towards party funds through voluntary contributions of the hard-earned money of common people, bank and insurance employees, and workers. This is the culture of communists,” she said.
