West Bengal polls: Left Front manifesto promises to restore freedom of opinion

KOLKATA: The Left Front today published its election manifesto for the Assembly election in West Bengal, the first phase of which starts on April 4, urging voters to exercise their franchise for restoration of democracy in the state.

The 16-page manifesto promises to restore freedom to express one's opinion and states that if elected to power it will see that police and the administration work in accordance with the tradition of multi-party democracy.

"We are aiming to restore democracy in the state and for that we need to defeat the TMC-led government. For the purpose, we want the people to unite and form a democratic secular government in the state," the manifesto, which was released by LF chairman Biman Bose, stated.

The manifesto notes that to weaken the "communal forces like the BJP", the TMC needs to be defeated because in the not-too-distant past the party had collaborated with the BJP and helped spread its 'influence' in the state.

The manifesto alleged that the state had failed to attract investment during the last five years of rule by the Trinamool Congress. Whatever industry was there, had left for greener pastures.

"The manifesto states how soon after taking over the administration the TMC-run government started attacking our workers and then the common people... And now they (TMC) are having an internal feud," Bose said.

The manifesto also alleged that the economic policy of the BJP government at the Centre had been benefiting the rich and the corporates while affecting the poor.