Left no to disinvestment of profit-making PSUs, rising prices

New Delhi, July 2 (UNI) The Left leaders today indicated that they can "re-think" about their support to the UPA government if it did not abandon its "chosen policy" to disinvest the profit-making PSUs and failed to contain the spiralling prices of essential commodities.

Talking to UNI, they said the Left parties at their joint meeting here on Tuesday, July 4, will finalise the launching of a countrywide " militant action" including reviewing the basis of their outside support to the Congress- led coalition.

The leaders of the CPI, CPI(M) and RSP said they are greatly upset with the growing islolation of the government from the 'aam aadmi,' common man, whose backbone, they said, had been broken by the government decisions- the hike in prices of petrol and diesel, disinvesting three profit- making PSUs and the failure to contain price rise among others. Besides the farmers suicides continue unabated.

Refuting the government's argument that the price rise was "seasonal," CPI leaders A B Bardhan and Shamim Faizi remarked that," Seasonal prices rise do take place, but they never assume such proportions.. surprisingly the prices of all essential commodities are sky-rocketing... this is the one single issue, which will ultimately destroy the credibility of the Congress-led coalition." CPI(M) senior leader and party Floor leader in the Lok Sabha, Basudev Acharia, said the Left would pursue the nationwide campaign against the Government's anti- people economic policies" more vigorously both in and outside the Parliament." CPM Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Mohammad Salim said," the Government's response on our nine-page note on the Government's two-year performance is expected." Mr Salim said the Left support was based on the CMP." The assessment is a continuous process. We have to see how far the Government has implemented the policy document. It will be better to respond when the Government gives its version on the issue." More UNI KSA RP RS1000