‘Bulldozer Politics Used to Intimidate the Poor and Minorities’: CPI(ML) General Secretary Targets PM Modi

Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi-led central government, accusing it of using “bulldozer politics” to intimidate the poor, Dalits and minorities in Uttarakhand. He called for the formation of a strong and mature political alliance to challenge what he described as the “authoritarian and fascist rule” of the BJP.

Addressing a two-day meeting of the CPI(ML) Uttarakhand State Committee in Bindukhatta, Nainital district, Bhattacharya said the country was witnessing an alarming rise in bulldozer actions being carried out under the pretext of demographic change and religious polarisation.

“By instilling fear of demographic change, bulldozers are being used to demolish the homes of the poor, Dalits and minorities. This bulldozer rule is part of a broader authoritarian agenda,” he alleged.

Allegations of Policy Decisions Hidden Behind Religious Polarisation

Bhattacharya further accused the Modi government of pushing through major economic and policy decisions under the cover of communal divisions. He claimed that amid religious polarisation, the government announced 100 percent Foreign Direct Investment in the insurance sector, introduced legislation to privatise the nuclear energy sector, and moved towards creating a Higher Education Commission, which he said would “completely dismantle public higher education”.

Attack on New Labour Codes

The CPI(ML) leader also criticised the implementation of the new labour codes, alleging that workers’ rights were being systematically eroded. Referring to the Bihar elections, he said that soon after electoral success, the government announced the rollout of labour codes that undermine long-fought labour protections.

Describing the struggle for workers’ rights as an integral part of India’s freedom movement, Bhattacharya said Dr B.R. Ambedkar had played a leading role in advancing labour rights. He called upon workers and other sections of society to unite and mobilise against the adverse impact of the new labour laws.

Criticism of Voter List Revision

Bhattacharya also strongly criticised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, calling it an attack on the right to vote, democracy and the Constitution. He alleged that the exercise was a “conspiracy to deprive certain sections of citizens of their democratic right to vote”.

However, he asserted that CPI(ML) would strongly oppose any attempt to disenfranchise vulnerable communities through the voter list revision process and would stand firmly with those being targeted.

The meeting was attended by CPI(ML) Polit Bureau member Sanjay Sharma, Uttarakhand State Secretary Indresh Maikhuri, and several other senior party leaders.

Bhattacharya concluded by reiterating that resisting bulldozer politics, protecting constitutional rights, and building a united opposition were essential to safeguarding India’s democracy.