Left takes exception to Sonia's 'anti-Left' comments

New Delhi, Apr 26 (UNI) Taking strong exception to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's remarks against the Left governments in Kerala and West Bengal, the Left parties today said it had done some ''pioneering works'' in the two states and hoped the Congress Chief ''would change her perception.'' Asserting the electorate would certainly vindicate their viewpoint at the hustings the Left leaders claimed, their governments had ''heralded a new era of development in land reforms, employment generation, literacy, public health and social amity among others.

They also criticised the Manmohan Singh government's plans to allow cent per cent FDI in insurance sector, more FDI in retail and ''anti-labour'' moves, saying they would continue to oppose them in and outside the Parliament.

Ms Gandhi has alleged that the Left was following the path of confrontation, having no vision of development and the Left speaks in different voices when in and out of power, during her recent election campaigns. But Prime minister Manmohan Singh described the Left as ''valued allies'' in his address in Kolkata.

The CPI leaders, A B Bardhan and D Raja, said Ms Gandhi's observations surely contradict those of the Prime Minister. CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and Rajya Sabha member Brinda Karat said, ''The people of Kerala and West Bengal will give the right answer to her comments in the ongoing assembly polls.'' On the government's proposals for further liberalising the financial sector, the CPI leaders said, ''The government will have to bring legislations in Parliament, where we will vote against them.'' Mr Bardhan wanted to know the motive behind introducing 100 per cent FDI in the insurance sector. ''When our domestic insurance companies are competitive enough, and making profits, why should we further open up our insurance sector. In our opnion, it is not necessary at all,'' he said.

On labour reforms, Mr Raja said if it meant a ''hire and fire,'' it was never acceptable to them, adding the government had yet to explain the kinds of changes it sought in labour laws.

''This is definitely the negation of the CMP, which is the very basis of governance, which says clearly for that it has to talk to the trade unions,'' Mr Raja said.

Referring to the Congress President's remarks describing the Left as ''obstructionist and anti-development,'' CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said, ''The Left will continue to obstruct if it means defending people's rights and opposing the Congress-led UPA government's anti people policies. We dont mind obstructing these policies in the larger interest of our country.'' MORE UNI KSA YA ND1616