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BJP accused of adopting double standards

Supports tribal rights in States but not in Parliament: Brinda

Raipur: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of adopting double standards on several issues, including tribal empowerment and disinvestment.

"It is the hypocracy of BJP. They are supporting rights for tribals in the States, while at New Delhi they are opposing giving rights to tribals in Parliament," Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat told reporters here.

Referring to the Wildlife Protection Act, she said that after a discussion with the Centre, the Left proposed 12 amendments for giving rights to tribals in protected areas. But all six BJP members participating in a discussion in Parliament opposed them, though the party itself had made similar promises during elections.

On disinvestment under the previous BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government, she said, "There was a big scam in the disinvestment of 51 per cent share of BALCO as the valuation was under-priced." The Left stand was vindicated by the CAG report and it was proved that disinvestment in BALCO was made to allow some people to make profit. This also exposed the "real face" of the BJP.

Ms. Karat described the controversy over reciting Vande Mataram as `unfortunate'. "I don't think anyone will object to reciting two stanzas of Vande Mataram."

Ms. Karat demanded a time-bound programme to fix quality standards for soft drinks. Any further delay in fixing standards could be construed as an attempt by the Government to provide undue benefit to manufacturers.

Ms. Karat said a Joint Parliamentary Committee, which inquired into the matter, submitted its report nearly three years ago.

On the basis of its findings, the quality standards were to be notified but it was withheld on the ground that standards for sugar were yet to be fixed. Referring to price rise, the CPI (M) leader urged the Centre to keep essential commodities out of the commodity exchange. — PTI, UNI

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