Below is the text of the letter written by Prakash Karat, CPI(M) general secretary to Pranab Mukherjee, president of India, on March 2, 2014, opposing the  government's move to promulgate ordinances.

I AM writing to bring to your urgent attention the proposed ordinances which the union cabinet is planning to adopt today and send them to you for promulgation.

The union cabinet is considering a clutch of Bills which were not taken up in parliament during the recently concluded session. The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die and this was the last session of the 15th Lok Sabha.

It is also reported that the cabinet is proposing to bring some amendments in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act to which you have given consent. If this is true, it is a shocking step which is unconstitutional and makes a mockery of parliament. It will also be establishing a dangerous precedent as the creation of a new state is a serious issue and cannot be a plaything for narrow political interests.

As for the Bills which are designed to combat corruption, after doing nothing for five years, the government is now seeking the ordinance route. Moreover, the government could have easily extended the session of parliament by a few days to get them discussed and adopted. 

To promulgate ordinances to suit the ruling party's interests after parliament has been adjourned, on the eve of the election announcement, will amount to a blatantly anti-democratic and partisan exercise.

I would like to register the strong opposition of our Party to such a move.

As the president, with the experience and wisdom of having dealt with constitutional and democratic procedures over long years in public life, I am sure you will not countenance any short-sighted and partisan measure which bypasses Constitutional and democratic procedures.