CPI-M politburo member Brinda Karat on Thursday slammed BJP as anti-poor and pro-corporate during a public rally in support of the Left Front candidates at Ramnagar in Agartala.
She termed the budget as pro-corporate because not a single paisa has increased in the corporate taxes while rebate for them has increased. On the contrary indirect taxes on the common people have been increased.
According to her privilege motion should be brought against the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for telling a lie in the floor of the House claiming that as far as the Rabi crop is concerned already the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission has been implemented.
She accused the Finance Minister of misguiding the Parliament and the people by claiming that the farmers were provided with minimum support price for the crop produced by them.
Karat said the budget is in fact a mockery to the farmers because only few months back the government in writing had informed the Supreme Court that it is not in a position to implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission but now Jaitley claims to have already implemented it.
The CPI-M leader also attacked the government on the health insurance assurance mentioned in the budget where it shall provide Rs 500,000 in health insurance cover per family per year to 100 million families. Further, the finance minister informed that he was allocating Rs 12 billion (Rs 1,200 crore) for free drugs and diagnostic tests. These benefits are to be provided through the creation of 150,000 health and wellness centres.
According to Brinda Karat the by-election results in Rajasthan indicates Modi’s farewell bells are ringing.
She also attacked the BJP for forming alliance with the IPFT which according to her is the facade of militants and dividing the people in the name of religion and community.
Karat appealed to the people to cast their vote for forming the 8th Left Front for peace and development of Tripura.