THE BJP and the Congress parties are the two sides of the same coin and their policies of governance are the same. BJP is pursuing the same policies of neoliberalism as started by the Congress in 1991. These policies are responsible for the deterioration of conditions of not only tribals but also of the youth, farmers, working class and the general masses, said Manik Sarkar, chief minister of Tripura and Polit Bureau member of CPI(M), at the Mahapadav in Udaipur. He said that the BJP government is for moneylenders, black marketeers, exploiters, and corporate houses but not for the poor people. "BJP has started from where the Congress left and the party which promised to confront the vices of the UPA has made life miserable for the common people.”

The Mahapadav was organised in front of the district collectorate of Udaipur in southern Rajasthan on June 3 by Aawas Adhikaar Sangarsh Manch, Kachhi Basti Federation and Adivasi Janadhikaar Eka Manch, Rajasthan. People had gathered in large numbers in the rally. Manik Sarkar sat for over two hours with thousands staging dharna, seeking houses and forest rights for the poor and tribals. The rally was also addressed by the CPI(M) state secretary, Amraram, Central Committee member, Vasudeo, AIKS state secretary, Dulichand, Veteran CPI(M) leader BL Singhvi, CPI(M) Udaipur district secretary Mohan Khokkawat, Adivasi Janadhikaar Eka Manch joint secretary, Gautam Damore, CPI(M) Chittorgarh district secretary, Maulana Hafiz, CPI(M) Dungarpur district secretary Devilal Katara, Bhuribai and other leaders.

Manik Sarkar demanded the fair implementation of Forest Rights Act, Housing for All and abolition of corruption at all levels. He attacked the Modi government for its failure to fulfill the promises made during the election campaign. He said that after the Modi government came to power more than 11,000 peasants have committed suicide. Manik Sarkar stressed that Modi and the BJP appealed to the masses of the country by their promise of good governance and good days (Achche Din) but have proved to be good for nothing but responsible for inflation, farmers suicides, unemployment of youth, more and more of corruption, privatisation and saffronisation of education, increase in crime against women, dalits, adivasis and minorities. The Modi government is increasing the gap between the rich and the poor. The amendments to the labour laws and the land acquisition bill clearly state that the government desires to serve the interests of the corporate houses.

The Modi government came into power with the promise to get back the black money and deposit 15 lakhs into each citizen’s account. But till date, not a single penny of black money has been brought back to the country. Instead they have opened doors for the foreign investors to invade insurance, banking, railways, higher education, health, defense sectors. What else could be termed as ‘Burey Din’, he asked in a public rally at the collectorate.

Prices of essential commodities are spiraling, increasing number of farmers are committing suicides, thousands of positions are lying vacant in public sector, the public sector is gradually being shifted into the private hands thus benefitting the rich corporates but the centre has done nothing in the past one year to address these burning issues.  Sarkar flayed the Modi government for its economic policies. There has been an increase in atrocities against Muslims and Christians, the communal forces are playing their dirty game uninterrupted by the government. “In the prevailing circumstances there is a fear of dictatorship in our country”, stated Sarkar. 

Giving examples from his own state, he said that in Tripura all the tribal families living on forest land have been issued land right and pattas numbering around 1,40,000. He said that in spite of apathy of the union government, Tripura is topmost in literacy and implementation of MNREGA. Sarkar said that Tripura government will provide houses to all by 2018. He demanded that Rajasthan should also have autonomous tribal councils in tribal areas just as Tripura has. He exhorted the Party cadre of the state to fight for this.

Condemning the Modi government for being insensitive and indifferent to the problems of the tribals, and failing to provide home to the homeless, and forest rights to the tribals, Manik Sarkar appealed the public and democratic forces to unite for a revolutionary decisive struggle if they want to see 'achche din', because the UPA and the NDA are the two sides of the same coin. On achche din, Sarkar said good days would really come when every family will have a house, there would be employment for the youth, medical and educational facilities accessible to the poorest of poor and these will be possible only if the governments are committed towards development of the poor.

CPI(M) state secretary Amara Ram addressing the Mahapadav, said that the government of Rajasthan in the leadership of Vasundhara Raje Scindia is also following the policy of benefiting the corporates by oppressing the peasants and working class people of Rajasthan. It is an anti-people government which should be opposed by constant struggle, he said.

After the Mahapadav, a delegation of the Party met the collector Rohit Gupta and handed over a memorandum to him.