EXPRESSING deep concern over the shocking revelations, made by a former DG of Police, the Punjab state unit of the CPI(M) has demanded a thorough judicial probe by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court into all aspects of the drug trade in the state and nearby areas. This, the CPI(M) said, is an urgent necessity as the drug menace is adversely and severely affecting the life of a large number of students and youth not only of Punjab but also of Haryana and Rajasthan. The CPI(M) said the recent horrible revelations by Mr Shashi Kant have further confirmed the allegations about a well organised mafia comprising powerful politicians, corrupt bureaucrats and drug smugglers. The CPI(M) also noted that a senior cabinet minister of the Akali-BJP combine’s government under Parkash Singh Badal was recently named by one of the accused caught in drug smuggling. Addressing media persons at Sangrur on April 25, CPI(M) Central Committee member and Haryana state secretary Inderjit Singh demanded action against all those named by Mr Shashi Kant, no matter whether they belong to Akali Dal, to the Congress, the BJP or any other group. Inderjit Singh was in Sangrur for canvassing for the CPI(M) nominees contesting Lok Sabha elections. Fresh revelations, he said, have clearly put the Badal government in the dock and Badal could by no means escape his responsibility as the chief minister for the nefarious and criminal affairs of the drug mafia. The CPI(M) leader hoped that the people of the state would teach these forces a lesson in the upcoming elections. Inderjit Singh also expressed the view that, apart from the law and order situation, the policies pursued by various governments were responsible for massive joblessness which was forcing the youth into drug addiction and crime. The party has appealed to the youth to launch powerful movements against the disastrous policies of neo-liberalism and cultural decay. AKALI MANIFESTO: BUNDLE OF FALSE PROMISES, HYPOCRISY WHILE being just the fulfilment of a formality, the election manifesto released by the Akali Dal (Badal) is nothing but a bundle of false promises and hypocrisy. This observation was made by Charan Singh Virdi, secretary of the Punjab state committee of CPI(M) while commenting upon the said manifesto. Pointing out the utter hypocrisy practised by Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and Akali Dal president, Sukhbir Singh Badal, Virdi referred to the issue of a solution of the lingering Punjab problem, involving the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab, settlement of territorial claims and counter claims and a just distribution of Ravi-Beas waters. No central government so far, whether of the Congress or of the BJP led NDA, has solved this problem. On its part, the Akali Dal too never took up this issue with the central government, except raising it as a ritual in the governor’s address or in an elections manifesto. Similar is the position in respect to the issue of more powers to the states. The Akali Dal is not serious about this issue but raises it hypocritically as a ritual. In the Akali Dal manifesto one can’t find any sign suggesting that the Akali Dal would abandon its adherence to the neo-liberal policies and would adopt pro-people and pro-peasant economic policies. In the Akali Dal election manifesto there is no assurance to industrial workers about payment of minimum wage, about an increase in it and about implementation of various labour laws. Meanwhile, commenting on the shocking disclosures about drug trade and the implication of certain Akali and Congress leaders in it, as made by former DGP (Jails), Shashi Kant, Virdi demanded a CBI inquiry into it in order to bring the truth out before the public and book the culprits. RALLY AT SANGRUR A constituency level central rally was held on April 27, 2014 near the Head Post Office, opposite the Pheruman statue at Sangrur, in support of Principal Joginder Singh Aulakh, CPI(M) candidate for Sangrur Lok Sabha seat. At the rally, Inderjit Singh, a CPI(M) Central Committee member and the party’s Haryana state secretary, was the main speaker who explained the alternative policies of the CPI(M) and the Left in comparison to the neo-liberal policies being pursued and advocated by the Congress and the BJP. Charan Singh Virdi explained the Punjab specific issues at the rally. Raghunath Singh, Vijay Misra, Bhup Chand Channo and Bant Namol also addressed the rally. As per reports received from the field, large scale preparations preceded the rally. Entire party leadership in Sangrur district and party workers moved from village to village all over the constituency to mobilise people for the rally. There was seen great enthusiasm among the workers and sympathisers for the rally.