NEW DELHI: Ahead of Thursday's Coordination Committee meeting with the United Progressive Alliance on Thursday, Left party leaders met here on Tuesday to finalise an exhaustive note on the Government's performance.

The note centres on the areas of differences the four Left parties have with the Government, especially in economic and foreign policies. It also highlights the unfulfilled promises — in terms of Bills — the UPA made in the Common Minimum Programme.

Areas of disagreement

Sources in the Left parties said the agrarian crisis, the irrigation problem, disinvestment, the decision to open up retail trade to foreign direct investment, and the move to allow foreign banks to pick up stakes in private domestic banks were some areas of disagreement.

The move to raise the issue price of commodities under the public distribution system and simultaneously reduce quantity, and the general price rise were being viewed seriously.The Left parties say the decision to import wheat is connected to the larger issue of food security. The draft, which runs to nearly nine pages, also contains suggestions on the Women's Reservation Bill, the proposed Bill to provide rights to tribal people, and another measure to protect unorganised and agricultural workers.

Foreign policy

The Manmohan Singh Government's foreign policy is another area in which the Left parties have a totally different view. They have repeatedly demanded that the UPA Government pursue an independent foreign policy.

Unlike the previous notes, this one would be an attempt to pin down the Government on specifics. The Left parties are of the view that earlier exercise did not have the desired impact.

Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M), A.B. Bardhan (CPI), Debabrata Biswas and G. Devarajan (AIFB), and Abani Roy (RSP) attended the meeting.

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