CPI(M) warns Centre on price hikes

Pondicherry, June 24 (UNI) CPI(M) Tamil Nadu secretary N Varadarajan today said there was a bright chance of formation of a strong 'Third Front' in the future.

Addressing a press meet here, Mr Varadarajan, here to campaign for party candidates in the civic polls, said the Centre was deviating from the implementation of the Common Minimum Programme, forcing the CPI(M) to organise agitations over price hike for petrol.

The TDP and Samajwadi party had expressed welcome support for a joint agitation. The CPI(M) agitations could not be called 'double stand' as support to the UPA was to ensure continuance of secularism and prevent the victory of communal forces.

If the Centre did not correct itself, the parties opposing it on petroleum price could form a front in the next five years, he said, but ruled out the possibility of allying with the AIADMK on the issue. The CPI(M) opposed the AIADMK in the recent elections and the latter's stance on petrol price hike was not clear, he said.

Mr Varadarajan urged the Tamil Nadu government to constitute an all party monitoring committee for ration rice distribution. Giving one kg rice for Rs two was a maginificent scheme when rice price was Rs 11 in the open market. But there were complaints that in some areas ration rice was being smuggled and replaced with substandard rice.

On the Sri Lankan issue, he said that it should be sorted out through negotiations and a confrontation with weapons could never be a solution. The Central government should intervene democratically.

He said the party, with the CPI would organise a joint movement to pressurise the state government to evolve and implement a scheme to provide house site pattas to the landless and SC/STs.

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