New Delhi, Mar 16: The Communist Party on India (Marxist) released its manifesto for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections on Monday.

The party has called for government control in the financial sector and proposed a complete halt on the privatisation of profitable state firms.

The CPI (M) also asked for a ban on foreign investment in the retail sector and guidelines to prevent the entry of foreign firms into Indian domestic market.

"The country requires alternative policies. Pro-people economic policies, provision of social equity, consistent secularism, genuine federalism and an independent foreign policy," the election manifesto said. (ANI)