Kannur, April 6 : Former Tripura Chief Minister and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Manik Sarkar on Wednesday alleged that the BJP and the RSS are working systematically to reshape the Indian republic and install a “Hindu Rashtra” in its place. Addressing the inaugural session of the 23rd Party Congress here, Manik Sarkar said “the country was facing such a severe challenge now” after seven decades of the Independence. “There is an alliance between the Hindutva forces and corporates which supports the authoritarian regime at the Centre.” He said: “The pursuit of neo-liberal and pro-corporate policies have worsened the condition of the people. It is necessary to widen and intensify these ted struggles of the working people, while countering the assaults on secularism and federalism by the ruling party.” Manik Sarkar said, the party congress will discuss how to strengthen the party organisationally, so that it emerges as an effective organization capable of mobilizing and organizing the working and secular-minded people. The party will discharge its responsibility to develop a Left and democratic alternative to isolate BJP and fascist forces. AK/DS ING