PTI By

SHIMLA: The CPI(M) today accused the Narendra Modi government of aggressively pushing pro-capitalist, neo liberal policies and spreading "venom" to divide the nation, and called upon people to prepare themselves to face the twin challenges.

"The realignment of political forces after takeover of the government by BJP, the gap between poor and the rich has widened due to neo-liberal policies while communalism is being used by dangerously spreading venom as a tool to divide the people for achieving the political ends," CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said addressing the 15th state level conference of the party's Himachal unit here.

Braving the icy chill from the Himalayas after the heavy snowfall, thousands of activists carrying the red flag marched through the streets of Shimla town in an open rally precluding the party's 15th conference in the state.

The conference would continue till December 18 where after deliberations new committee would be elected.

Calling upon the people to bravely face the brunt and fight it back, he said the Modi Government had given the slogan of "good days" during the elections but the "good days" have come only for capitalists as the BJP was following the policies of Congress like 100 per cent FDI in railways and pursing anti-labour industrial reforms.

"The government stealthily passed a resolution in the lok Sabha which shows that the government is hell bent to privatise the strategic Coal sector which was nationalised by Indira Gandhi when thousands of workers were being killed because of hazardous work and non compliance of security measures," he said, adding that the capitalists and corporate sector was determined to usurp this strategic sector.

He alleged after the declaration of Narender Modi as the PM candidate, Adani group has swollen by Rs 25000 crore which shows this is the new crony of the BJP.

Further, MNREGA budget was being curtailed by Rs 3,000 crore and the government was bent upon winding up the programme, Karat said.

Speaking about the rise in oil prices in the country, he said, there has been 40 per cent fall in international prices of oil still the government has increased tax on it thus putting burden on the people.

Karat alleged that since US President Obama was coming for Republic Day function on January 26, the government was trying to increase FDI in insurance and defence sector to appease him. Addressing the rally Rakesh Singha, CPI(M) state secretary Sanjay Chauhan and Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Shimla Tikender Singh Panwar attacked the state government for pursuing the same policies and mounting burden on the common people.

The phenomenal fee hike in the university and colleges has made higher education unaffordable for the common man and the government has made mockery of service sector in the state, they alleged.