Price hike, airport issue to mark UPA-Left meet

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Jun 9: The fuel price hike and the proposed privatisation of airports will figure prominently along with other domestic and foreign policy issues at the UPA-Left Coordination Committee meet, likely to be held on June 15 amid fraying ties between the Centre and its communist ally.

The meeting assumes significance in the wake of the Left parties' vehement opposition to the fuel price hike and the communists are expected to exert pressure on the government to roll back or effect a substantial reduction in the quantum of the ''burden imposed on the man on the street and the middle classes''.

The Left parties have already begun a week-long agitation which will culminate in the All India Protest Day on June 13. Several parties, some of them allies of the ruling UPA coalition, and even constituents of the NDA have come out in support of the Left's agitation. The parties include the RJD, TDP, Janata Dal(S) and the Janata Dal(U).

The sources told sources that the Left parties will present a note, most likely on June 13, detailing their objections on the government's ''wrong'' policies in the context of the CMP and also offer suggestions. At a meeting of the four Left parties here on June 5, it was decided to prepare a comprehensive note on the two-year performance of the government and the key areas of differences.

The Left would also ask the government to give a written response, the sources said, adding that this would be with a view to give a direction to the government on several policy matters ''in the larger interests of the poor, the toiling masses and the nation as a whole''.

Meanwhile, talking to sources, CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan said the Left could not be blamed for the ''wrong policies'' of the government just because it was an ally as the communist parties had not only opposed these but also suggested alternative plans.

''We have taken a very firm position against the general price rise and the fuel hike, an offshoot of the government's wrong economic policies. We also made alternative suggestions in every sphere, be it economy, internal politics or external affairs.'' On the specific issue of fuel price hike, Mr Bardhan said on every occasion, the Left parties had suggested alternate plans but the government chose to ignore them.

Reacting to BJP chief Rajnath Singh's accusation that the left parties were adopting double standards on the price rise isssue and their support to the UPA government, Mr Bardhan quipped, ''On the other hand, the BJP is judging every Left action with double standards.'' ''It is well known that those who wear yellow glasses see everything though jaundiced eyes,'' the CPI veteran said.

On the government's proposal on privatisation of 35 non-metro airports, he said the left had always stressed the need for upgradation of these airports by the Airport Authority of India.

''This is what the government had promised but is now going back on by talking about private-public venture,'' he added.

UNI

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