UPA Govt to go if CMP not implemented: CPM LEADER Sumit

Shimla, Nov 1 (UNI) In a veiled threat to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre, senior CPM leader Sumit Chopra today said it will have to go if it did not implement the Common Minimum Programme (CMP).

''The Left parties are reigning in the government by making them implement the CMP. Part of it is being implemented, while the government is not serious on other important issues,'' he said at a rally on the occasion of the launch of the Student Federation of India's (SFI) jatha from here.

Mr Chopra said while several of its demands had been accepted and were being implemented by the Central Government, it was not taking the CMP seriously and several other demands were being ignored.

Referring to the launch of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in 150 districts of the country, Mr Chopra said had it not been for the tough stand taken by the party, the scheme would have failed miserably.

Mr Chopra, a CPM Central Committee (CC) member, said the scheme as prepared by the Centre was to be implemented in a district once and that too could be withdrawn at will.

''However, due to the party's tough stand it is now being implemented in the best possible manner and will soon be extended to 600 districts of the country to cover all below poverty line people in the country,'' he said.

Criticising the Central government for inviting foreign investment in educational sector, the CPM said it would take education out of the reach of the common man.

He said the country should learn a lesson or two from China, which was inviting private participation in education at its own conditions.

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