Left parties demand food security bill

While hundreds of cameras were keeping an eye on Anna’s movement for a strong Lokpal, most missed an event happening just next door.

While hundreds of cameras were keeping an eye on Anna’s movement for a strong Lokpal, most missed an event happening just next door.

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Next to Anna’s enclosure at Jantar Mantar, the Left parties were staging a five-day protest, which concluded on Friday along with Team Anna’s fast.

Parties including the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Revolutionary Socialist Party and All India Forward Block were demanding a food security bill.

The lack of attention, however, did not disappoint the Left-wing, who gave a call to their supporters to observe a food security day.

“Left parties have never relied on the media for their agitation. Our support base is our cadre and we reach every corner of the country through them,” said AB Bardhan, senior CPI leader, while addressing the crowd at Jantar Mantar on Friday.

“Millions go to bed hungry in this country. Our demand is as valid is as the demand for a corruption free India,” he said.

The Left front has been demanding that 35 kg of ration should be given to people for R2 per kg. “We need a corruption-free nation, but first we need to feed millions of hungry stomachs. Right to Food should be implemented through a universal public distribution system,” said CPM politburo member Brinda Karat.

Senior communist leaders will hand over a memorandum to the Prime Minister on the issue.