New Delhi, October 25 (UNI) Locals would decide who would be the alternative to the ruling BJP, Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Monday, adding that there was discontent among the population about several government policies.

Speaking at a press conference after a three-day meeting of the CPI-M Central Committee, Yechury was asked about the alternative to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party alliance.

“The people of the country will decide who will be the alternative to BJP. The people of this country defeated the Emergency, the BJP was formed after that … The people defeated Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the UPA (United Progressive Alliance ) was formed later … Likewise in 1996, the United Front emerged after the elections, “he said.

“There is an option, and people will decide who it will be. Anti-BJP forces are crystallizing,” he said.

He also said that there was discontent among people over government policies and that there would be more “spontaneous explosions”.

Yechury also said the party’s Central Committee discussed the political resolution that would be considered at the party congress to be held in April 2022 in Kannur, Kerala.

The Party’s Central Committee decided to organize protests across the country against the price hike.

“Absurd claims are being made that increases in excise duties on petroleum products fund free vaccinations and various social sector programs. It’s ridiculous. If people pay exorbitant prices, then vaccinations are not free. . People are paying for it themselves, “Yechury said.

CPI-M also asked the government about the vaccination campaign and said that even though the government celebrated the administration of 100 crore doses of the vaccine, only 21% of people have received a double vaccination so far.

“… This is very alarming. The Prime Minister has assured that by the end of the year all adults in India will be fully immunized. Now the government has lowered the target from 100 to 60%. Even for that, we need 1.5 million vaccines per day to reach the target of 60% by the end of the year. The current vaccination rate is below 40,000 per day, “said Yechury.

The CPI-M also demanded the sacking of Minister of State for the Interior, Ajay Mishra, and the repeal of agricultural laws.

Commenting on Interior Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Yechury said he visited Union territory under “massive military fortification, detaining hundreds of people”.

“He absurdly claimed that with the repeal of Section 370 and the dissolution of the former state of J&K, the situation has improved. The recent targeted killings of civilians have created a situation comparable to what prevailed in the 1990s. It is alarming, ”Yechury said. .

“The CPIM Central Committee demands the restoration of the statehood of J&K and urges the Supreme Court to begin examining the petitions submitted to it, including those of the CPIM,” he added.

The comments came in the wake of several killings of targeted civilians at J&K. The interior minister, who is visiting the state, said terrorism has decreased in Union territory and no one will now be allowed to stop development in the state.

The minister also said that the demarcations would be made at J&K, followed by elections and that ultimately statehood would be restored.

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