Kolkata, Oct 01, 2024, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

New Delhi, Oct 1: The CPI(M) has extended full support to the protests in the aftermath of the RG Kar hospital incident in Kolkata and said the movement is also against the "ruling TMC-criminal nexus".

The Central Committee in a statement issued on Tuesday after its meeting on September 29-30, also accused the Central government of abandoning India's "long-standing policy of support to the Palestinian cause" and demanded an immediate ban on the export of arms to Israel.

In the protests following the incident of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, the CPI(M) supported the movement and also demanded legislation in Parliament to deal with the issue of the safety of medical personnel. "The Central Committee extended its full support to the popular movement, which is ongoing in West Bengal against the gruesome rape and murder of a post-graduate medical student. The movement is also against the TMC ruling party-criminal nexus which is flourishing in all sectors, including the health sector in the state," the party said.

"The CPI(M) supports the demand of the medical community all over the country for legislation in Parliament, which deals with the security and safety of medical personnel. The Central Committee also expressed grave concern at the increasing crimes against women and girls in many other states," they said.

The Central Committee strongly opposed the 'One Nation, One Election' concept as accepted by the Union Cabinet based on the recommendations of the Ram Nath Kovind Committee. They said it will undermine the parliamentary democratic system and the federal structure, and bring about a Centralised and unitary system which will trample upon the rights of the states and their elected legislatures. "The Central Committee decided to mobilise public opinion against this anti-democratic, anti-federal move," they said.

The party also demanded a reduction in retail prices of petrol and diesel and expressed concern over the situation in Manipur. "The abandonment of the Centre's responsibility towards Manipur is made all the more stark by the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not thought it fit to visit Manipur even once in the past sixteen months. The CPI(M) reiterates that the removal of Chief Minister Biren Singh should be the first step to create conditions for political dialogue and settlement," they said.

The Left party said it will launch campaigns on issues like price rise, fuel price, unemployment and privatisation, and crime against women, apart from 'one nation, one election' between October 15 to November 15.

The Central Committee adopted condolence resolutions paying homage to Sitaram Yechury,  Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and other leaders and comrades who have passed away recently.