Surjeet suggests Centre to follow CMP to complete full term

New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) Veteran Marxist and former CPI(M) general secretary H S Surjeet today stated that if the UPA government adhered strictly to the Common Minimum Programme(CMP), it would complete its five-year term with ''flying colours''.

'' Even it will fare much better than the previous governments if it followed the CMP in letter and spirit and implement all pro-poor projects enshrined in it,'' Mr Surjeet told UNI.

Mr Surjeet's remark assumes special significance against a backdrop of strained relations between the Government and the Left for the former's pro-US tilt in country's foreign affairs and its pursuing ''anti-people and anti-workers'' economic policies.

Mr Surjeet even at the age of over 90 makes it a point to attend all Polit Bureau meetings of the party, which began its three-day deliberations here today to discuss the poll strategy for the forthcoming assembly polls in five states, the fallout of the Iran issue at the global level and national and international developments during the last three months.

To another question, the veteran Marxist said the Left would perform much better in the upcoming assembly elections.

To yet another question relating to the emergence of a Third Front in the wake of the TDP and the SP making all efforts to float an anti-Congress and anti-BJP political formation, he evaded a direct reply. '' Many a such front will emerge,'' he added.

Later, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, when asked why he did not prefer to talk to the Delhi media, he answered in a lighter vein that it was not the case.

''I will address the Delhi press here tomorrow,'' he said.

The Press Club of India has organised a Meet the Press Programme tomorrow wherein party Polit Bureau and Rajya Sabha member Sitaram Yechury and Mr Bhattacharjee will jointly interact with newspersons.

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