Mysore/Mysuru: Urging the State and Union Governments to come to the aid of people who are affected by the COVID pandemic during the third wave of the attack, Left parties will hold a State-wide demonstration tomorrow (Jan. 24).

Addressing a joint press meet at Pathrakartara Bhavan here yesterday, leaders of seven Left parties including CPI, CPI(M), SUCI, CPI-ML and Swaraj India, sought the support of the people for the demonstration which is being held as part of ‘Save life, Livelihood and Let live’ campaign.

Jagadish Surya of CPI(M) wanted the Government to pay Rs. 4 lakh as compensation to COVID-affected families. He also sought monthly financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 to each BPL family, a hike in MNREGA wages, waiver of school fees, waiver of farm loans and implementation of pro-people policies, among others.

SUCI District Secretary B. Ravi said that global economic inequality has further widened following the outbreak of the pandemic. Maintaining that India is no different as the financial condition of the poor and middle class has only got worsened since the pandemic outbreak, he charged the Centre of supporting only a handful of capitalists, at a time when it should have come to the rescue of the common man, who is reeling under the hardships of the pandemic.

CPI-ML leader Chowdalli Javaraiah alleged that the Government was depriving poor students of education by converting residential schools as COVID Care Centres.

Contending that online education was beneficial only to rich students, he said that the Government should take over private hospitals for providing free treatment to the poor.

Swaraj India leader Ugranarasimhagowda warned the Government against snatching away the livelihood of the poor through flawed policies. He wanted the Government to implement only pro-people programmes and refrain from introducing anti-people policies.

A poster on the Jan. 24 State-wide protest was also released on the occasion.

CPI leader Devadas and others were present.