CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury has targeted the Central government over its handling of COVID-19 lockdown in the country and demanded that the government transfer Rs 7,500 per month, for the next three months, to the accounts of people who lost their livelihood due to the crisis.

He pointed out that the unemployment rate in the country shot up from 7.5 per cent to 23.6 per cent from early March to April 20.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-lauds-india-post-postmen-for-their-stupendous-efforts-during-lockdown-294785">Also read:&nbsp;PM Modi lauds India Post, postmen for their 'stupendous efforts' during lockdown</a>

"It is imperative that immediately the Central government transfers Rs 7,500 per month for the next three months to all who have lost their livelihoods. Surely, if a staggering Rs 7.76 lakhs of crores of loans taken by the super rich and corporates can be waived off by your government during the last five years, there should be no shortage of funds to feed and support the majority of our people," he said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The CPI-M leader also questioned the manner in which the lockdown was imposed in the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/with-1990-new-cases-india-witnesses-highest-coronavirus-cases-in-24-hour-period-294814">Also read:&nbsp;With 1,990 new cases, India witnesses highest coronavirus cases in 24-hour period</a>

"Since the lockdown, the urge among the migrant workers to return to their homes has seen surging crowds in huge numbers seeking to leave for their homes as they have lost all means of livelihood and shelter. This in itself negated one of the objectives of the lockdown, of maintaining physical distancing in order to contain community transmission of the pandemic," he wrote.

"Since the announcement of the lockdown, we had suggested that the Central government must immediately provide free food to all the needy. Huge stocks of foodgrains are rotting in our central godowns. These should be sent to the states for free distribution. Neither of these demands has even been considered by the government with you as the Prime Minister," he added.

India is under a nation-wide lockdown which was imposed on March 25 and later extended on April 14 to May 3 to stem the spread of coronavirus.&nbsp;

CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury has targeted the Central government over its handling of COVID-19 lockdown in the country and demanded that the government transfer Rs 7,500 per month, for the next three months, to the accounts of people who lost their livelihood due to the crisis.

CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury has targeted the Central government over its handling of COVID-19 lockdown in the country and demanded that the government transfer Rs 7,500 per month, for the next three months, to the accounts of people who lost their livelihood due to the crisis. He pointed out that the unemployment rate in the country shot up from 7.5 per cent to 23.6 per cent from early March to April 20. Also read: PM Modi lauds India Post, postmen for their 'stupendous efforts' during lockdown "It is imperative that immediately the Central government transfers Rs 7,500 per month for the next three months to all who have lost their livelihoods. Surely, if a staggering Rs 7.76 lakhs of crores of loans taken by the super rich and corporates can be waived off by your government during the last five years, there should be no shortage of funds to feed and support the majority of our people," he said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CPI-M leader also questioned the manner in which the lockdown was imposed in the country. Also read: With 1,990 new cases, India witnesses highest coronavirus cases in 24-hour period "Since the lockdown, the urge among the migrant workers to return to their homes has seen surging crowds in huge numbers seeking to leave for their homes as they have lost all means of livelihood and shelter. This in itself negated one of the objectives of the lockdown, of maintaining physical distancing in order to contain community transmission of the pandemic," he wrote. "Since the announcement of the lockdown, we had suggested that the Central government must immediately provide free food to all the needy. Huge stocks of foodgrains are rotting in our central godowns. These should be sent to the states for free distribution. Neither of these demands has even been considered by the government with you as the Prime Minister," he added. India is under a nation-wide lockdown which was imposed on March 25 and later extended on April 14 to May 3 to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Govt should provide Rs 7,500 per month for three months to those who lost livelihood in lockdown: Sitaram Yechury

After the Kerala Assembly passed a resolution seeking withdrawal of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP GVL Narasimha Rao said that Chief Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-urges-state-leaders-mamata-vijayan-to-not-stop-updating-npr-270061">Pinarayi Vijayan</a> should resign and say that he does not have trust in the Constitution.

When asked about the resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly, Rao said, "CAA is Central law passed by both Houses of Parliament. If you are passing a resolution against it that means you are making a mockery of the Indian Constitution through which you are the Chief Minister."

"In this case, Pinarayi Vijayan should resign from the (state) government and say I don't have trust in the Constitution," Rao added.

The Kerala Assembly passed the resolution on Tuesday.

Before the resolution was passed against the Act, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a special Assembly session targeted RSS and said that citizenship law is part of an agenda.

"The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/anti-caa-protests-a-ticking-ignorance-bomb-and-a-sheer-vandalism-with-truth-269453">CAA</a> is part of an agenda. Muslims are being considered as internal enemies by RSS, who is controlling the ruling dispensation at the Centre," he alleged.

Cornering the BJP and RSS, Vijayan read a portion of a book by Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar and alleged that the "RSS is following ideas of Hitler".

The resolution moved by the Chief Minister earlier in the day was supported by all other parties except BJP that has a lone member O Rajagopal in the Assembly.

Moving the resolution Vijayan said, "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/caa-is-humanitarian-opposition-creating-panic-among-people-bs-yediyurappa-271064">The Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2019</a> has sparked great agitation across the country. University students, workers, employees and public figures, including people from all walks of life, have come out in strong protest. This form of religious discrimination has created a false impression in the international community about our country."

"The Citizenship (Amendment) Act has raised concerns among the Malayalee community living around the world. It is in this context that the Kerala Legislative Assembly is discussing the resolution on the Act," he added.

Pinarayi said that the Act divides people on religious lines.

"There is a general feeling across the country that religion-based discriminatory provisions have been introduced in the CAA. It has spread to the streets as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/caa-and-nrc-protests-addressing-concerns-of-protesters-a-must-for-government-268749">protests</a>. The basis of this objection is that the amendment has been enacted by ideas which challenge the fundamental principles of our Constitution and democracy," he said.

The new law grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists, and Christians fleeing religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

After the Kerala Assembly passed a resolution seeking withdrawal of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP GVL Narasimha Rao said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should resign and say that he does not have trust in the Constitution.

After the Kerala Assembly passed a resolution seeking withdrawal of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP GVL Narasimha Rao said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should resign and say that he does not have trust in the Constitution. When asked about the resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly, Rao said, "CAA is Central law passed by both Houses of Parliament. If you are passing a resolution against it that means you are making a mockery of the Indian Constitution through which you are the Chief Minister." "In this case, Pinarayi Vijayan should resign from the (state) government and say I don't have trust in the Constitution," Rao added. The Kerala Assembly passed the resolution on Tuesday. Before the resolution was passed against the Act, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a special Assembly session targeted RSS and said that citizenship law is part of an agenda. "The CAA is part of an agenda. Muslims are being considered as internal enemies by RSS, who is controlling the ruling dispensation at the Centre," he alleged. Cornering the BJP and RSS, Vijayan read a portion of a book by Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar and alleged that the "RSS is following ideas of Hitler". The resolution moved by the Chief Minister earlier in the day was supported by all other parties except BJP that has a lone member O Rajagopal in the Assembly. Moving the resolution Vijayan said, "The Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2019 has sparked great agitation across the country. University students, workers, employees and public figures, including people from all walks of life, have come out in strong protest. This form of religious discrimination has created a false impression in the international community about our country." "The Citizenship (Amendment) Act has raised concerns among the Malayalee community living around the world. It is in this context that the Kerala Legislative Assembly is discussing the resolution on the Act," he added. Pinarayi said that the Act divides people on religious lines. "There is a general feeling across the country that religion-based discriminatory provisions have been introduced in the CAA. It has spread to the streets as protests. The basis of this objection is that the amendment has been enacted by ideas which challenge the fundamental principles of our Constitution and democracy," he said. The new law grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists, and Christians fleeing religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

Kerala CM should resign and say I don't have trust in Constitution, says GVL Narasimha Rao

With election fervour running intense in West Bengal, Malda district gears up for the third phase of the ensuing Lok Sabha elections with a battle between the 'first cousins'&nbsp;of a veteran political family.

Isha Khan, son of Congress stalwart Abu Haseem Choudhury, will be contesting against his first cousin Mausam Noor who is a sitting MP from Malda North. Mausam Noor won the MP seat under the Congress banner.

In 2008, she defeated her rival Haji Ketabuddin of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) by a margin of 21,205 votes.

Later, she was elected as Lok Sabha MP from Malda North parliamentary constituency. She also became the youngest Muslim woman to be elected to the 15th Lok Sabha.

But, she joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the name of development this January. Senior Congress leader Abu Haseem and brother of Ghani expressed discontent about his sister`s daughter (Mausam Noor) joining Trinamool.

"This is unfortunate as our family is known as the pillar of Congress. It is sad that somebody leaves Congress and joins another party," he said.

He added that the people of Bengal are "frustrated and confused" with the leadership.

They do not know whom to vote.

"Malda district has Congress bastion from the time after Ghani Khan served as a Minister of Railway under former prime ministers-- Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi," he said.

Congress candidate of Malda North constituency Isha Khan Choudhury, who is confident of his winning, said: "Mausam Noor joined the TMC in the name of development, however very little development has taken place in Malda North under the TMC."

"During Panchayat elections, criminality was fully supported by the administration and the ruling government. Now, nobody is ready to suffer again like Panchayat elections," he said while targeting Mausam.

Sreerupa Mitra Choudhury from the BJP is contesting against Abu Haseem from Malda South.

She joined the BJP in 2015 after quitting from the TMC. This time it has been observed that as the Left Front is supporting Congress, the party has not proposed any candidate from Malda South.

Malda district comprising of two Lok Sabha constituencies Malda South and Malda North, which will go for polling on April 23.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

With election fervour running intense in West Bengal, Malda district gears up for the third phase of the ensuing Lok Sabha elections with a battle between the 'first cousins' of a veteran political family.

With election fervour running intense in West Bengal, Malda district gears up for the third phase of the ensuing Lok Sabha elections with a battle between the 'first cousins' of a veteran political family. Isha Khan, son of Congress stalwart Abu Haseem Choudhury, will be contesting against his first cousin Mausam Noor who is a sitting MP from Malda North. Mausam Noor won the MP seat under the Congress banner. In 2008, she defeated her rival Haji Ketabuddin of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) by a margin of 21,205 votes. Later, she was elected as Lok Sabha MP from Malda North parliamentary constituency. She also became the youngest Muslim woman to be elected to the 15th Lok Sabha. But, she joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the name of development this January. Senior Congress leader Abu Haseem and brother of Ghani expressed discontent about his sister`s daughter (Mausam Noor) joining Trinamool. "This is unfortunate as our family is known as the pillar of Congress. It is sad that somebody leaves Congress and joins another party," he said. He added that the people of Bengal are "frustrated and confused" with the leadership. They do not know whom to vote. "Malda district has Congress bastion from the time after Ghani Khan served as a Minister of Railway under former prime ministers-- Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi," he said. Congress candidate of Malda North constituency Isha Khan Choudhury, who is confident of his winning, said: "Mausam Noor joined the TMC in the name of development, however very little development has taken place in Malda North under the TMC." "During Panchayat elections, criminality was fully supported by the administration and the ruling government. Now, nobody is ready to suffer again like Panchayat elections," he said while targeting Mausam. Sreerupa Mitra Choudhury from the BJP is contesting against Abu Haseem from Malda South. She joined the BJP in 2015 after quitting from the TMC. This time it has been observed that as the Left Front is supporting Congress, the party has not proposed any candidate from Malda South. Malda district comprising of two Lok Sabha constituencies Malda South and Malda North, which will go for polling on April 23.

Lok Sabha polls: North Malda to witness tough fight between first cousins

Re-elected CPI(M) General secretary Sitaram Yechury on Sunday said that any non-BJP and non-Congress "third front would not be successful if it was formed" with the sole aim of coming to power.

Speaking at a public meeting at the conclusion of the party's 22nd Congress, he said the third front should have a strong basis and policy under which it should be formed and would emerge only through public movements.

He said the Telangana Chief Minister spoke with him some days back, wanting to bring a Non-Congress and non-BJP front.

"He asked my opinion. I said the third front exercise was done about 20 years ago in 1996. We formed a government under the leadership of Deve Gowda without BJP and Congress."

Yechury said the question now what was the main expectation of the third front and on what policies would it be formed.

"The front that will be formed specifically to come into power will not work. We will take a decision based on the policies on which the front would be formed," he said.

Yechury said defeating religious-based politics and 'religious fanatics' was the prime objective

"We will decide what sort of strategy is to be followed during elections. They (religious forces)&nbsp;will not be defeated&nbsp;through&nbsp;mere&nbsp;poll alliances. We will have to strengthen public movements to defeat them," he opined.

He alleged that the Modi Government waived Rs three lakh crore worth of loans to 'big capitalists' like Nirav Modi.

Yechury alleged that many of the persons involved in atrocities against children and women belong to RSS and BJP and that the government had failed to act against such people.

"There are no cases against them. On the contrary, cases are filed against the victims. We have never faced such a state of affairs before this regime," he alleged.

Charging that the ruling BJP was trying to woo Hindu voters and consolidate their vote bank, Yechury said BJP was endangering the secular fabric of this country in the name of 'Gau Raksha'.

"They dictate what we should eat and who should be our friends," he said.

He called for the unity of 'Lal Salam' and 'Jai Bheem' to fight the current regime.

Describing Modi as Duryodhana and Amit Shah as Dushyasana of the epic Mahabharat, he said the CPI(M) would defeat 'communal forces' through public movements.

He alleged that the Modi-led NDA Government had failed on all fronts, including providing Minimum Support Price to farmers.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said development of the country was hampered due to the 'neo-liberal' policies of the present government.

He opined that permanent jobs in all sectors had vanished due to the 'hire and fire' policies followed by employers.

Vijayan highlighted some of the developmental measures being undertaken by his government in Kerala.

Former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said only the Left party can provide an alternative to Congress and BJP.

"BJP cannot be the alternative of Congress and Congress cannot be the alternative to BJP. They are two sides of the same coin. Only the Left and democratic forces can provide that alternative. That situation will emerge through movements only," he said.

CPI(M) Police Bureau member Brinda Karat was among those who spoke in the public meeting.

Earlier before the meeting, some of the party's Red Shirt&nbsp;volunteers took out a march from Malakpet to Saroornagar Stadium, where the public meeting was held.&nbsp;

Speaking at a public meeting at the conclusion of the party's 22nd Congress, he said the third front should have a strong basis and policy

Re-elected CPI(M) General secretary Sitaram Yechury on Sunday said that any non-BJP and non-Congress "third front would not be successful if it was formed" with the sole aim of coming to power. Speaking at a public meeting at the conclusion of the party's 22nd Congress, he said the third front should have a strong basis and policy under which it should be formed and would emerge only through public movements. He said the Telangana Chief Minister spoke with him some days back, wanting to bring a Non-Congress and non-BJP front. "He asked my opinion. I said the third front exercise was done about 20 years ago in 1996. We formed a government under the leadership of Deve Gowda without BJP and Congress." Yechury said the question now what was the main expectation of the third front and on what policies would it be formed. "The front that will be formed specifically to come into power will not work. We will take a decision based on the policies on which the front would be formed," he said. Yechury said defeating religious-based politics and 'religious fanatics' was the prime objective "We will decide what sort of strategy is to be followed during elections. They (religious forces) will not be defeated through mere poll alliances. We will have to strengthen public movements to defeat them," he opined. He alleged that the Modi Government waived Rs three lakh crore worth of loans to 'big capitalists' like Nirav Modi. Yechury alleged that many of the persons involved in atrocities against children and women belong to RSS and BJP and that the government had failed to act against such people. "There are no cases against them. On the contrary, cases are filed against the victims. We have never faced such a state of affairs before this regime," he alleged. Charging that the ruling BJP was trying to woo Hindu voters and consolidate their vote bank, Yechury said BJP was endangering the secular fabric of this country in the name of 'Gau Raksha'. "They dictate what we should eat and who should be our friends," he said. He called for the unity of 'Lal Salam' and 'Jai Bheem' to fight the current regime. Describing Modi as Duryodhana and Amit Shah as Dushyasana of the epic Mahabharat, he said the CPI(M) would defeat 'communal forces' through public movements. He alleged that the Modi-led NDA Government had failed on all fronts, including providing Minimum Support Price to farmers. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said development of the country was hampered due to the 'neo-liberal' policies of the present government. He opined that permanent jobs in all sectors had vanished due to the 'hire and fire' policies followed by employers. Vijayan highlighted some of the developmental measures being undertaken by his government in Kerala. Former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said only the Left party can provide an alternative to Congress and BJP. "BJP cannot be the alternative of Congress and Congress cannot be the alternative to BJP. They are two sides of the same coin. Only the Left and democratic forces can provide that alternative. That situation will emerge through movements only," he said. CPI(M) Police Bureau member Brinda Karat was among those who spoke in the public meeting. Earlier before the meeting, some of the party's Red Shirt volunteers took out a march from Malakpet to Saroornagar Stadium, where the public meeting was held.

If sole aim is coming to power, Third Front will not be successful: Yechury

&quot;The entire cycle of violence has been generated by the RSS,&quot; CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Wednesday in response to BJP President Amit Shah&#39;s Jan Raksha Yatra through Kerala.&nbsp;

&quot;It is a case of the pot calling the kettle black,&quot; Yechury added.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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The Jan Raksha Yatra is a 15-day march through Kerala.&nbsp;

The yatra began on Tuesday at Payyanur -- chief minister Pinari Vijayan&#39;s hometown -- and will travel through Kerala before&nbsp;ending in Thiruvananthapuram on October 17.

The theme of the march is &quot;All have to live! Against Jihadi-Red Terror&quot;.&nbsp;

The march is meant to protest against the ruling CPM&#39;s alleged use of violence against BJP workers in the state.&nbsp;

The CPM and the BJP have waged a long battle in Kerala, with both sides losing a number of party workers to violence.&nbsp;

The yatra was on Wednesday joined by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-uttar-pradesh-cm-adityanath-joins-amit-shah-in-kerala-yatra-20982" target="_blank">WATCH: CM Adityanath hits out at Kerala govt over &#39;political killings&#39; during Amit Shah&#39;s yatra</a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

BJP President Amit Shah's 15-day Jan Raksha Yatra is meant to protest against the ruling CPM's alleged use of violence against BJP workers in the state

"The entire cycle of violence has been generated by the RSS," CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Wednesday in response to BJP President Amit Shah's Jan Raksha Yatra through Kerala. "It is a case of the pot calling the kettle black," Yechury added. The entire cycle of violence has been generated by the RSS: Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) pic.twitter.com/kN22wiZWC7 — ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2017 × It is a case of the pot calling the kettle black: CPM's Sitaram Yechury on BJP's Jan Raksha Yatra pic.twitter.com/WACHQqTC6O — ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2017 × The Jan Raksha Yatra is a 15-day march through Kerala. The yatra began on Tuesday at Payyanur -- chief minister Pinari Vijayan's hometown -- and will travel through Kerala before ending in Thiruvananthapuram on October 17. The theme of the march is "All have to live! Against Jihadi-Red Terror". The march is meant to protest against the ruling CPM's alleged use of violence against BJP workers in the state. The CPM and the BJP have waged a long battle in Kerala, with both sides losing a number of party workers to violence. The yatra was on Wednesday joined by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath. WATCH: CM Adityanath hits out at Kerala govt over 'political killings' during Amit Shah's yatra

Kerala: As Amit Shah marches, Yechury blames 'entire cycle of violence' on RSS