CPI(M) will not hesitate to withdraw support from UPA: Pandhe

Bhopal, Oct 24 (UNI) The CPI(M) today warned that it will not hesitate to withdraw support to the UPA Government if the issues raised by Left parties were ''constantly neglected''.

''We have not promised the Congress support forever,'' senior CPI(M) politburo member M K Pandhe, who was here to take part in two-day party state committee programme, told reporters here.

''However, such a decision will be taken only after serious deliberations over the situation in the country and prevailing political atmosphere,'' he said.

Pointing out that efforts were being made to maintain constant pressure on the government through protests and public agitation, he felt that the government will not overlook this.

Dwelling on the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy -- under which selected industrial groups were provided land at discounted price -- in the country, he called for a broad review of the programme suspecting that it would benefit certain industrialists at the cost of peasants.

''Since the benefits will be limited to the industrial sector, an imbalance will be created,'' he said.

In the era of globalisation, rights of labourers and means for livelihood were being attacked in the name of privatisation and liberalisaton.

The process had gained momentum during previous BJP-led NDA rule but the Congress-led-UPA had carried it forward ignoring the interest of farmers and small traders, he claimed.

He demanded that fertile land should not acquired for SEZ and if at all necessary, such land should be acquired at above market rates. For example, the West Bengal Government had to decided to provide compensation at 150 per cent of the market cost.

Dr Pandhe said various trade organisations were launching a nationwide agitation over these issues and the CPI(M) supported it.

He alleged that the Madhya Pradesh Government was implementing privatisation and liberalisation polices in a big way, not following labour laws and attempting to abolish rights of labour organisations.

The CPI(M) leader alleged that the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme was being implemented through contracts and people associated with the RSS were being accorded priority.

He also objected to the government decision lifting a ban on its officials participating in RSS activities.

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