The Communist Party of India (CPI) recently reaffirmed its strong support for Palestine, vowing to continue its solidarity efforts until the Palestinian people secure their fundamental rights, including the right to return, self-determination, and a life of peace and dignity in their homeland.
This commitment was formally adopted through a resolution at the party’s 25th Congress in Chandigarh. The CPI called upon the Indian government to consistently vote in favor of Palestine at the United Nations and to provide crucial humanitarian aid to its populace.
Addressing Key Economic and Regional Concerns
CPI Rajya Sabha MP P. Sandosh Kumar highlighted further resolutions, including a strong condemnation of the United States’ six-decade-long economic blockade against Cuba, which the party stated has severely crippled the island nation’s economy and its citizens’ welfare. Domestically, the CPI voiced serious reservations about the recently unveiled Goods and Services Tax (GST) 2.0 reforms, dismissing government assurances as “empty promises.” They argued that the ruling BJP’s economic policies have exacerbated societal inequality, placing undue financial pressure on middle and lower-income groups while disproportionately benefiting corporations. Furthermore, the party advocated for Puducherry’s inclusion in the 16th Finance Commission, emphasizing that its current exclusion results in an estimated loss of ₹1,500–2,000 crore from central funds.
In a separate resolution, the CPI sharply criticized both the Central and Punjab governments for their alleged neglect of irrigation and drainage infrastructure, which they contend worsened the impact of recent floods in Punjab. Party delegates unanimously deemed the Centre’s ₹1,600 crore relief package “an insult,” citing that the true scale of damages surpassed ₹25,000 crore. The CPI urged for a comprehensive White Paper detailing flood relief efforts and fund distribution.
Advocating for Universal Healthcare Access
Regarding public health, the CPI pointed out that central government spending on healthcare remains below 2% of the GDP. They demanded a phased increase, aiming for 3% of GDP by 2027 and a significant jump to 10% by 2030, alongside the implementation of universal free healthcare for all Indian citizens.
CPI General Secretary D. Raja articulated his concern that India’s democracy, secularism, social justice, and other foundational values are currently under severe threat. During the political debates on the second day of the Congress, the party strongly criticized the BJP’s agenda and passionately appealed for greater unity among Left and democratic forces.
Separately, Binoy Viswam, Secretary of the CPI (National Council) and former MP, took to ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) to respond to the Prime Minister’s open letter concerning ‘next generation GST’. Viswam questioned the sincerity of the government’s stance, stating, “Today you talk about self-reliance. How long will you stick to it? Just recently, you glorified FDI and opened doors for ‘Adanis.’ How will you address the genuine concerns of states like Kerala within the GST Council?”