THE CPI(M) has formally launched its election campaign with alternative policies as the main theme for mobilising the toiling masses and socially marginalised sections in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. Both Left parties have already announced to contest four constituencies viz CPI from Karnal and Ambala while CPI(M) from Sirsa and Hisar. Briefing the media persons on January 7, following the two day state committee meeting of the Party, CPI(M) state secretary Inderjit Singh has stated that election campaign committees have been constituted for Hisar and Sirsa seats and such committees are soon to be formed in all assembly segments. Campaign for alternate policies and on constituency specific issues will be launched from February 1, the first phase of which will culminate in a large rally at Hisar on Feb 23 to be addressed by Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and CPI national secretary Amarjit Kaur. A similar rally is to be held at Karnal on March 2. Inderjit said that the main thrust for elections will be focussing on the alternative to neo-liberal policies of privatisation which are mainly responsible for destruction of livelihood of people and the chief source of high level corruption during recent years. He accused the BJP of exploiting the anger against Congress misrule for communal polarisation in order to secure political gains. He regretted that political parties in Haryana were not opposing the disastrous policies of privatisation and liberalisation. The CPI(M) has demanded a social audit of the power sector to find out the real reasons behind unprecedented power tariffs which were beyond the paying capacity of consumers. They need to be drastically reduced. He said that both the Left parties will organise district level protest demonstrations on January 12 on burning issues like power rates reduction, opposing privatisation of transport routes, NREGA implementation, regularisation of jobs, deteriorating crime situation, food security etc. He disclosed that the CPI(M) will hold a women’s convention at Hisar on January 31 to be addressed by CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat. Another convention on Dalit rights will be organised at Barwala in Hisar district. The Party state committee has urged the state government to settle the main demands of the employees’ organisations and prevent the three day strike from January 21-23. While supporting the issues of the strike the Party has said that these were the issues of the common people as well.