It seems like the CPI(M) doesn’t believe in practicing what they preach. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) had on Thursday released their manifesto, in which they have mentioned that Aadhaar is discriminatory and needs to go. But, in Kerala, the only state that they are in power, they have been pushing for Aadhaar enrolment in welfare schemes and health insurance.

CPI(M)’s manifesto states that they would “seek elimination of the present targeted system and establishment of a reformed and strengthened universal public distribution excluding income-tax payees. No linkage with Aadhaar”.

Then it adds that 12 LPG cylinders per year would be provided at a subsidised rate with no Aadhaar linkage. Saving the best for later, they have said they would want the ‘scrapping of the use of Aadhaar and biometrics for all social welfare measures’.

But, in Kerala, the Pinarayi Vijayan government has been insisting on Aadhaar linkage for welfare and health insurance schemes. In fact, in the state’s Health department, the additional chief secretary Rajeev Sadanandan has been pushing for using the Aadhaar number to avail health insurance benefits.

In a recently released document, the Kerala government has specifically stated that the Aadhaar will be the primary document. The rules released stated that “Aadhaar will be the primary identity document for a family member that has to be produced under the KASP/AB-PMJAY scheme”. The rules go on to state that in case the family does not have an Aadhaar card, then they will be eligible for treatment only once without an Aadhaar card or an Aadhaar Registration slip. They have to then immediately apply for an Aadhaar card.