BSP leader Mayawati and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal have accused that the EVMs were tampered with in the UP and Punjab Assembly elections. What is the CPI(M) stand on EVMs? S Rudrangshu, Kolkata THE Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are a step better than the earlier manual voting system with ballot papers. Rigging of votes and booth capturing were easier in the old system.Since the EVMs are stand alone machines and are not part of a central network, it is relatively less tamper proof.

Q. Even after 70 years of capitalist development after Independence, the CPI(M) still talks about the People’s Democratic Revolution. As per the Marxist understanding, when capitalism has become the mode of production in Indian society, why is the CPI(M) not aiming for a socialist revolution?  Sushant Banerjee, Howrah, West BengalA.

It seems the Indian psyche has accepted dynastic politics whenever elections come. Tamil Nadu is no exception - to some extent, where it appears to be a case of "crash landing". How does CPI(M) view  this?
 
Asit Sengupta, West Bengal
 
THERE is a growing trend of dynastic politics in India. It was first manifested by the Nehru-Gandhi family in the Congress party.  Subsequently, it has spread and has now become a common occurrence, particularly, in the regional parties. 

In India all sorts of politicians face corruption charges, some face trial in courts, some are convicted, some are acquitted, some go on appeal etc..etc..  Does CPI(M) treat one is innocent till final conviction in any court of law?  What is the yardstick CPI(M) adopts to deal with them? S Manohar, Melagaram,Tamil Nadu. Corruption is a serious problem affecting the country. Much of the high level corruption stems from the big business-politician-bureaucrat nexus. Given this fact, very few politicians who have misused their office face corruption charges.

THE UBI refers to a minimum level of money income that the State ensures for its citizens. Typically, the government transfers a stipulated amount of money to all its citizens to ensure that they have access to a minimum level of income. The quantity of such a money transfer is determined either by estimating the average shortfall of per capita income from a poverty line, or by estimating an amount required to live a life of basic dignity.While the idea of a UBI might appear appealing, there are a number of problems in accepting it as a policy solution to the problem of poverty.