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Monday, Sep 20, 2004

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National

Congress-Left differences narrow

By Our Special Correspondent

KOLKATA, SEPT. 19. Differences between the Left and the Congress on the Government's approach to key economic issues narrowed following last week's meeting between the leaders of the United Progressive Alliance and Communist Party of India (Marxist), the CPI(M) Polit Bureau member, Jyoti Basu, said today. "We have impressed upon the Congress that we need each other to keep the BJP in check. We requested the UPA leadership, notably the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi, to ensure that the Government functioned for the benefit of the people," Mr. Basu said.

Mr. Basu, also the former West Bengal Chief Minister, told The Hindu today that he had assured both the Prime Minister and Ms. Gandhi that the Left would like the Government to complete its full term. The topic came up for discussion on September 18 at a meeting in the Prime Minister's residence in New Delhi.

"We want the UPA to stay in office for five years. We have our differences but we will have to try to sort them out from time to time," he said. "Since the Government is run by a coalition, the UPA needs our support as much as we, in the Left parties, require them."

Saturday's meeting, which lasted for nearly two hours, was also attended by CPI (M) Polit Bureau members, Harkishen Singh Surjeet and Sitaram Yechury. The Congress president and UPA chairperson, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, was present.

Assurance

The Prime Minister assured the CPI(M) leadership that the UPA would adopt a policy initiative in consultation with the coalition partners and prioritise policies that the Left considered beneficial to the common man.

Issues such as the enactment of a law guaranteeing employment, initiating schemes such as food for work and midday meals and focussing on health in rural areas would be given precedence.The outlines for such policies would be drawn up soon, Dr. Singh had told the Left leaders.

Saturday's meeting was convened at Ms. Gandhi's behest to reassure the Left that the UPA would not take any policy decision without consulting them. In the past few weeks, the Left has been openly critical of the Centre's decisions on foreign direct investment, provident fund interest rate and international funding agencies as consultants.

"The Government may be compelled to take certain decisions even in face of opposition from us. But, it should, nevertheless, take the Leftists into confidence," Mr. Basu said.

He also suggested that the UPA - Left Coordination Committee should meet regularly and sort out differences."In fact, I told him [Mr. Singh] that the coordination committee should meet after he returns [from his] foreign trip. He has agreed."

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