'Conflict between UPA partners and Left inevitable'

New Delhi, Nov 21: Dissatisfied with the UPA government's mid-term performance, the Left parties today foresaw an ideological and political conflict between the UPA partners on the one hand and the Left on the other and asked for course correction in the political, economic and social spheres.

The CPI, CPI(M) and Forward Bloc, however, appreciated the government's initatives on right to information and rural employment even though these also were not being "properly implemented."

In critical appraisal of the Congress-led coalition's completing half of its tenure in office tomorrow, top Left leaders told UNI that more pressure would have to be built on introduction of pending legislations like Women's reservation and social security for 370 million unorganised workers, contain ruthless privatisation, farmers' suicides and continuing atrocities on Dalits and women.

CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan said, "the bone of contention between the two sides will be the so-called reforms in financial sector, the privatisation of the Pension Fund, and allowing FDI in retail sector." The veteran CPI leader and freedom fighter Mr Bardhan said from the experience of the government's tenure no one is in doubt now that it was hesitant to adopt legislative measures in pursuance of its economic policies but used all administrative measures to further the cause of the so- called economic reforms.

The government had to postpone the disinvestment of Navratna PSUs only after the Left suspended its participation in the UPA-Left Coordination meetings, Mr Bardhan added.

CPI(M) polit bureau member M K Pandhe observed that the government chose not to implement most of the promises contained in the CMP which led to the collapse of the PDS and continuing price rise.

''Even the National Rural Employment Scheme and the Right to Information Act are definitely notable achievments, but poverty, unemployment and corruption in public life were on the rise,'' Mr Pandhe said adding that pressure would have to be built for their implementation.

On the government's achievement side, CPI National Secretary Shamim Faizi also cited the bills for Domestic violence and the repeal of POTA among others." But for their apt implementation a widespread campaign would have to be launched.''

Mr Faizi said public opinon and struggle would have to be launched mainly on the rural employment scheme as it was meant at empowering rural poor and increasing their purchasing power. The CPI leaders, pointing out to the outcome of the two last UPA- Left Coordination Meetings held on October 4 and November 13, deplored that the government had adopted the attitude of frustrating the Left. Nothing tangible came out on our 19 page detailed document on government's two years performance.

Stating that the government at the UPA-Left Meet on November 13 had promised the introduction of bills on Women's Reservation and the Tribal Rights, they said it was to be seen whether it kept its promise.

Forward Bloc National Secretary G Devrajan said the government had deviated from the traditional foreign policy tilting towards the US despite all opposition from the Left.

''Besides the government has not done well in checking corruption in governance and improving Centre-State relations. The government also failed to contain the depressing saga of farmers suicides.

Since July onwards this year, over 400 farmers have already committed suicide.'' ''The relief packages are not the permanent solution.'' On the political front, the Left leaders said it would have to take pro- people measures to ensure that the issues of unemployment, women, Dalits, tribals and rural development were on the national agenda.

They reminded the ruling coalition that the mandate of 2004 general elections was to keep the BJP out of power. ''For that the Congress has to play a lead role in collecting all secular and progressive forces on the same platform to defeat the politics of hatred and communalism represented by the saffron party and its mentor- the RSS.''

UNI