The Hindu : National : Left keen on Centre remaining within CMP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 17, 2004

National

National

Left keen on Centre remaining within CMP

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, SEPT. 16. The struggle of the working class will have to intensify to put pressure on the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre to remain within the Common Minimum Programme (CMP). During the previous rule, the struggle of employees was to change the policies of the Government, the leader of the CPI(M) Parliamentary Party, Basudeb Acharya, said today.

The Left had laid down one condition for the new Government and that was it should confine itself to the CMP. The Government was being repeatedly told not to follow the policies pursued by the earlier Government. Otherwise, it would also meet the fate of the earlier BJP-led Government.

"Our objective is that a Government that has been formed should implement the policies incorporated in the CMP. What we want is that the UPA Government should implement those policies pertaining to the people of the country."

In this context, he explained that the Left was against the reduction of the interest rate in Employees Provident Fund (EPF). The EPF was a social security for people and hence "we demand that social security of the people of the country should be considered as a fundamental right."

The mandate of the people in the Lok Sabha elections was not only for a change in the governance but it was for a change in the policies which were being pursued by the earlier Government. "The mandate was not in favour of any political party. But the people of the country responded to our call that representation of the Left parties in the Lok Sabha should be increased. The Government will have to rest on the support of the Left. The people responded," he said.

`Fascist manner'

Mr. Acharya lashed out at the AIADMK Government in Tamil Nadu for its action against Government employees in a "fascist manner" during their agitation. The entire working class in the State taught the AIADMK and its allies a lesson in the Parliamentary elections that "fascist action cannot be tolerated by people."

The CPI (M) leader was speaking at a meeting organised by the Joint Action Committee of Audit and Accounts Employees and Officers Organisations, Tamil Nadu.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National