People's Front for offensive against NDA Govt.

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 22. The Peoples' Front today decided to go on the offensive against the National Democratic Alliance Government and promised to build public opinion against the manner in which the affairs of the nation were run.

A day ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament, the Front at its meeting here this evening, said it would raise voice unitedly against the ``anti-people'' policies pursued by the NDA Government. Yet it was reluctant to join hands with the Congress on many issues.

The Front Convener and Samajwadi Party president, Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav, did not hide his dislike for the Congress and held the party equally responsible for the current economic situation. However, the Front president and CPI(M) leader Mr. Jyoti Basu, said the combination would welcome support from the Congress and other Opposition parties if they agreed with the Front's policies.

The CPI general-secretary, Mr. A.B. Bardhan, said that on major issues, the Opposition should coordinate in Parliament provided there was similarity in approach.

The former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) president, Mr. H.D. Deve Gowda, too was keen on a coordinated approach and was particularly harsh on the `UTI mess'.

The Front demanded the resignation of the Finance Minister, Mr. Yashwant Sinha, while Mr. Gowda also demanded a probe as to why the former UTI chairman changed his mind on placement in a company which was rejected earlier. He wondered if the move was prompted by ``pressure from the top.''

The Front also conveyed its opposition to the extension of ceasefire of the Centre's agreement with NSCN (I-M) to areas outside Nagaland. It blamed the Vajpayee Government for the current situation and termed it as ``more serious'' than Jammu and Kashmir.

Expressing annoyance at the `faulty foodgrains management', the Front warned the Government that inability to prevent `deaths from hunger' could have serious repercussions.

Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav went on to suggest that it would ask the people to raid overflowing granaries rather than die of hunger. It also opposed sale of the Air India and other profit-making public sector undertakings.

On the Agra summit, the Front said the Government went in without preparation and the Prime Minister did not think it was necessary to consult the Opposition before extending invitation to the Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

The Front meeting was attended by Mr. Jyoti Basu, Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav, the CPI(M) general-secretary, Mr. Harkishan Singh Surjeet, and its politburo member, Mr. Sitaram Yechury, the CPI general-secretary, Mr. Indrajit Gupta, Mr. Gowda, the Samajwadi party general-secretary, Mr. Amar Singh, the AIFB general- secretary, Mr. Debabrata Biswas, and the RSP's Mr. Abani Roy.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Previous : Dasmunshi flays AI disinvestment
Next     : Ajit Singh's induction will help NDA in U.P.
           elections