CPI favours discussion in LDF on petrol price

Thiruvananthapuram, June 10 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (CPI), the second largest constituent in the ruling coalition in Kerala, today said it favoured a discussion in the Left Democratic Front (LDF) over the issue of reducing sales tax on petroleum products.

Talking to newspersons here, CPI state secretary Veliyam Bharghavan said the LDF would discuss the issue at its next meeting scheduled to be held here on June 14.

However, the Left parties in the state would observe a day's general strike on June 13 to protest against the Centre's decision to hike the prices of petroleum products.

Referring to Opposition's demand for the resignation of Public Works Minister P J Joseph who was allegedly involved in financial irregularities in the Maithri Housing scheme during his tenure in the Nayanar Government, Mr Bharghavan said the allegations raised by the Congress leaders could not be taken at face value as their party-led government had not taken any action in this regard during their five-year rule. ''However, we are not against a proper scrutiny of the details,'' he added.

He said the CPI would demand one of the three vacant Rajya Sabha seats in the state.

The party would also demand the Environment portfolio from CPI(M) in the Cabinet.

He denied that the internal problems within the CPI(M) and also among the coalition partners had affected the smooth functioning of the V S Achuthanandan Government in the state.

He said a review of the election results had shown that the LDF could have won ten more seats in the recent Assembly elections if the constituent parties faced the election in a careful and united manner. The LDF won 98 seats in the 140-member House.

UNI CR AJ DKS KP1326