No place for NCP in LDF: CPI

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 9 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (CPI), a constituent of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, today decided not to make any compromise on the Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) continuance in the LDF after veteran leader K Karunakaran's Democratic Indira Congress (K)'s merged with the NCP.

''The CPI is against the NCP's continuance in the Front as they are now a new party,'' CPI State Secretary Veliyam Bhargavan told reporters after the party's executive meeting here.

''This is our opinion. But a final decision should be taken after discussions in the Front meeting,'' he said adding it was the LDF's precedence to reach a consensus on any issue before taking a decision.

Even before the DIC(K) merged with the NCP, the CPI had asserted that the NCP would have no place in the LDF if it allowed the DIC(K) to merge with it.

Besides the CPI, some other constituents of the LDF are reported to be against the NCP continuing in the Front.

The CPI and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) were engaged in a wordly duel after Mr Bhargavan accused the CPI(M) of taking unilateral decisions.

He said the CPI(M) should change its mode of functioning or the LDF's unity would be in danger.

There were also reports that both the parties had divergent views over the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala Agricultural University. While the University falls under the purview of Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran, who is from the CPI, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan had apparently been saying that he would have the final say on who would be the new Vice-Cchancellor.

Certain reports also pointed out that CPI ministers are critical of the manner in which the Advocate-General informed the Kerala High Court last month that there was no need for a CBI probe into the SNC Lavalin issue. UNI PN AJ AKJ RAI2051