The CPI(M) released its parties’ manifesto which mentions the need to curb mass surveillance. This is the very first time that a left party has brought up the issue of digital rights of citizens in its manifesto, for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The CPI(M) said that digital infrastructure should be treated as any other public infrastructure and should limit/stop mass surveillance by the state under Section 69 of the IT Act. And that law should be enacted that protects the privacy of a user.

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said "There should be clear provisions and judicial supervision of any surveillance that violates citizens privacy. Enact data privacy laws that protect the people against appropriation/misuse of users private data for commercial use”

In a bid to protect any breach of privacy, the CPI(M) manifesto also proposes to discontinue the use of Aadhar and biometrics.


In the declaration, the party proposed that the main aim of CPI (M) is to defeat BJP and restore secular principle and democratic rights enshrined in the constitution of our country. "Our main aim is to defeat the Bhartiya Janata Party, increase the strength of the CPI(M) and the Left in Parliament and form an alternative secular government," Yechury said.

Other promises made in the CPI(M) manifesto reads that there will be a provision of statutory minimum wage of not less than Rs 18,000 per month, curb the monopoly of the few telecom majors, enforce farmers right to sell their produce at minimum support price, universal Public Distribution System with 35 kg of foodgrains per family, rise in taxes of the rich, restoration of inheritance tax and old age pension of Rs 6,000 per month.