The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Tuesday (September 23, 2025) said it stands with Palestine and pledged to intensify solidarity until its people achieve their legitimate rights, including the right to return, the right to sovereignty, and the right to live in peace and dignity in their homeland.
A resolution to this effect was passed during the party’s 25th Congress in Chandigarh. The party urged the Government of India to vote consistently in support of Palestine at the United Nations and to extend humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.
Economic and regional issues
CPI Rajya Sabha MP P. Sandosh Kumar said the party also passed a resolution on Cuba, condemning the six-decade-long U.S. economic blockade, which it said has had a severe impact on the island’s economy and the well-being of its people. He added that the CPI expressed concerns regarding the recently announced Goods and Services Tax (GST) 2.0 reforms, dismissing the government’s claims as “hollow” and pointing out that the BJP’s economic policies have worsened inequality, burdening the middle- and lower-income classes while benefiting corporates. The party also demanded that Puducherry be included in the 16th Finance Commission, noting that Puducherry suffers a loss of ₹1,500–2,000 crore from the Central pool due to non-inclusion in the Central Finance Commission.
In another resolution, the CPI criticised both the Central and Punjab governments for negligence in maintaining irrigation and drainage systems, which aggravated the recent floods in Punjab. Delegates unanimously condemned the Centre’s relief package of ₹1,600 crore as an insult to the people, noting that actual losses exceeded ₹25,000 crore. The party also called for a White Paper on flood relief and fund allocation.
Healthcare demand
On public health, the party noted that central health spending remains below 2% of GDP and demanded an increase to 3% of GDP by 2027 and 10% by 2030, besides universal free healthcare for all citizens.
CPI General Secretary D. Raja said India is facing serious threats to democracy, secularism, social justice, and other fundamental values. During political discussions on the second day of the Congress, the party criticised the BJP’s agenda and called for unity among Left and democratic forces.
Meanwhile, in response to Prime Minister’s open letter surrounding the ‘next generation GST’, Binoy Viswam, secretary, CPI (national council), and a former MP in his post on ‘X’ said, “Today you talk about self reliance. How long will you stick to it? Till other day you glorified FDI, paved way for ‘Adanis’. How would you answer concerns of states like Kerala in the GST Council?”
Published – September 23, 2025 10:29 pm IST
