The spiraling prices of essential commodities, including vegetables, pulses and sugar, making the life of common man difficult, CPI(M) politburo member Prakash Karat told reporters after a two-day party state committee in Thiruvananthapuram.
The food inflation rate is over 7.5% now. This shows that the government's approach has contributed to price rise and inflation, he said.
Instead of passing on the benefit of reduced prices on crude oil, the government has increased excise duty on petrol and diesel, Karat said.
The agitation would also press for withdrawal of excise duty to reduce fuel prices and take measures against hoarders and speculators in the commodity market.
On the employment front, the NDA government failed to create enough during its last two years, he alleged demanded that the ban on recruitment for government jobs at central and state level be lifted. According to the Seventh Pay Commission, there are 7.47 lakh vacancies in the central government departments which are yet to be filled up, he said.
Karat alleged that in West Bengal, CPI(M) workers were being attacked by Trinamool Congress activists. Party offices and houses of cadres and supporters were "destroyed" after the recent assembly elections, he said.
“An attempt is being made to eliminate our party and Left front," he charged.
