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Repercussions of ignoring Left concerns will be serious: D. Raja

Staff Reporter

CPI national secretary holds out veiled threat to the UPA Government

VISAKHAPATNAM: Communist Party of India (CPI) national secretary D. Raja held out a veiled threat to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre on the possible consequences of ignoring the concerns expressed by the Left parties.

"All the Left parties have served a detailed note to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi recently on issues where we have serious differences," he told a meet-the-press organised by the Vizag Journalists' Forum here on Sunday.

The repercussions of ignoring Left concern on privatisation of profit making public sector undertakings and acquisition of land from farmers for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) would be very serious. Asked to spell out what could be the possible repercussions, he said, "I repeat, it would be very serious and not good in the interest of the nation."

No disinvestment

Mr. Raja said ignoring Common Minimum Programme would only further the interests of the communal and fascist forces, particularly the BJP, which was in a crisis. He said the Left was totally opposed to disinvestment of public sector units.

On the SEZ row, he said Ms. Sonia Gandhi had also expressed concern over move to acquisition of lands from farmers. "We want that the tax and labour laws should also apply for SEZs and agriculture lands should not be acquired whatever may be the necessity," he said. He said the Left parties had urged the UPA Government to table bills pertaining to women's reservation and tribal rights in the next session of Parliament.

Supreme Court ruling

On the Supreme Court's advice on creamy layer and maximum ceiling on reservations for SCs and STs, he said: "In our present system of governance, all the three wings of Constitution — Judiciary, Parliament and Executive — should adhere to their respective roles. The ruling was a judicial assault on most oppressed sections, an encroachment on the powers of Parliament."

Mr. Raja said that all policy matters were the domain of Parliament and the legislatures.

"The Supreme Court order was a serious matter. Parliament should intervene and prevent it from redefining the reservation policy," he averred.

Third Front

The CPI leader ridiculed the efforts being made by Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu with other parties for formation of a Third Front.

"What do they mean by Third Front?" asked Mr. Raja. "Frankly speaking, I don't know the meaning. It's not a readymade thing that just before any polls we can forge it to seek votes," he said.

Mr. Raja was commenting on the efforts being made by Mr. Naidu along with Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh.

"As far as my information goes, Samajwadi Party president and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav is the convener of People's Front," he said.

The front, which was dormant, was formed at the initiative of Mr. Naidu sometime ago.

Clarification

To a question, he clarified that the CPI and its allies were trying for a "Left and democratic alternative."

He parried a question on whether they would align with the TDP in future. "We did not have tie-up with that party in the last polls. This is a State issue. So I don't know anything."

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