CPM polit bureau flays UPA on price rise

New Delhi, Nov 14 (UNI) The CPI (M) today asked the UPA government to take immediate steps to contain escalating prices of essential commodities, stop privatisation of postal services and ensure that the status of reservations for SC/ST remained unaltered.

The two-day meeting of the party polit bureau accused the Manmohan Singh government of being unable to contain price rise despite suggestions and alternatives given to the government by the Left parties from time to time.

''We are still concerned about the continuing rise in the prices of essential commodities. We have asked our state units to intensify the nationwide 'anti-price rise' campaign,'' CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat told a news conference after the meeting.

The party reiterated its demand for slashing the petrol and diesel prices to the pre-June level saying that the international crude oil prices have come down from 70 dollars a barrel in May-June to 57-58 dollars per barrel today.

''In the context of the inflation and price rise, reduction in fuel prices will bring relief to the people,'' Mr Karat said.

The 17-member polit bureau discussed the worsening political situation in Bangladesh, Uttar Pradesh election, the farmers' movement in Rajasthan, the dalit atrocities in Khairlanji, Maharashtra and the creamy layer in SC/ST reservation among other issues.

On the party's electoral strategy for early next year's assembly election in Uttar Pradesh, the party has taken a formal decision which Mr Karat said would be first conveyed to the party state unit ''before telling the press''.

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