CPI to launch campaign against ‘threats’ to Constitution, democracy

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D. Raja, general secretary of CPI, said that India is in the midst of multiple economic, political, social and cultural crises. | Photo Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Wednesday (July 1, 2026) announced a nationwide political campaign from August 6 to 15, focusing on “unemployment, inflation, rural distress, federalism, education and electoral reforms”.

Describing the country as being in the midst of multiple economic, political, social and cultural crises, party general secretary D. Raja said it was imperative to reach out to people. Attacking the BJP-led Union government, he alleged that rising prices and declining purchasing power had worsened economic distress. Despite the government’s claims, he said, the economy was in a poor shape, and unemployment and underemployment had become major concerns, especially among the youth.

Mr. Raja criticised the Centre’s handling of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, alleging that the scheme had been weakened over the years before being replaced by the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, which shifts greater financial burden on the States. This comes at a time, Mr. Raja said, when federalism is being eroded. He said States were increasingly demanding a fair share of tax revenues collected by the Union government.

The CPI leader reiterated the party’s demand for restoration of statehood for Jammu & Kashmir and referred to similar demands from Puducherry and Delhi. He criticised the Centre over examination-related controversies and called for greater decentralisation, arguing that States should have more authority over examinations.

Mr. Raja questioned the push for a Uniform Civil Code, saying there was no national consensus on the issue.

On foreign policy, he slammed remarks by U.S. President Mr. Donald Trump on India’s oil imports from Russia, describing them as raising concerns about national sovereignty.