Alternative politics can usher in change: Yechury

Hyderabad: Stating that the policies of both Congress and the BJP have failed to address the concerns of majority people in the country, CPI (M) politburo member Sitaram Yechury called for alternative politics ‘which alone can bring in the much needed change’.

Interacting with students of University of Hyderabad (UoH) on “Future Challenges on Economic and Social fronts” here on Saturday, he said, “You are students. This is not a right forum to tell you to vote for one particular party. But, alternative economic policies are possible only through finding alternatives to the political parties which ruled the country till now.

A change can be brought in only when we test an alternative. I urge all of you to think on these lines.” Yechury stopped short of calling vote for a Third Front, which of course was still not existent. “According to latest figures, the number of billionaires in the country has gone up to 50. One third of nation’s GDP wealth is accumulated by these 50 people, whereas the remaining 75 per cent of people have been eking out a living with a meagre daily wage of Rs 20. No government has genuine interest in the welfare of these people. On the other hand, they say the huge subsidy bill has contributed to inflation and describe the reliefs to wealthy class as incentives.

The infrastructure in the country can be better developed if the government stops doling out incentives to the corporate sector.According to official figures submitted to Parliament in the last session, nearly Rs 5.76 lakh crore of dues by the affluent classes were written off. This is the state of the nation,” Yechury said.

Touching on the massive scams like 2G spectrum and coalgate, the CPM leader said, “We can provide free mid-day meals to all children, provide free books and dresses for two years with the amount that was siphoned off in the scams.”

Yechury said the liberalised economic policies pursued by the governments from 1990 had failed to ameliorate the living standards. Just 20 per cent of the selected lot was getting the fruits of policies. Certainly there was a need for alternatives. This was possible only thorough alternative political forces, he explained.

“The Congress’ model of secular democratic governance and the BJP’s way of Hindu Raj have brought the nation to the brink. It needs to be corrected. Time has come for us to think whether to make a better India which can address the concerns of all people or a vibrant India which would benefit a few,” he remarked.

MLC Prof K Nageswar also participated in the programme organised by the SFI.