India should press Colombo and Tigers to talk: CPI

Madurai, Jan 21 (UNI) CPI National Secretary D Raja today urged the Centre to press both the Sri Lankan Governemnt and the LTTE to return to the negotiating table to resolve the decades-old ethnic conflict in the island nation.

Addressing mediapersons here, Mr Raja also demanded New Delhi to facilitate return of normalcy to the North-Eastern parts of Sri Lanka, the theatre of war at present.

To a question, he said the CPI was of the view that the resolution of ethnic question required a political settlement. As such, pursuing military action would prove futile.

Expressing concern over the safety of innocent civilians in the war-torn region, Mr Raja called for a cessation of hostilities and restoration of peace. In this direction, the Centre could play a constructive role, he pointed out.

On the coming Assembly elections to three states, the CPI veteran said the party would contest 25 seats on its own in Manipur. In Punjab and Uttaranchal it would face the polls in alliance with the CPI(M) and other secular parties.

Asked about Uttar Pradesh, he said the prospects of the Mulayam Singh Yadav Government continuing any further appeared bleak.

The law and order situation had deteriorated in that state, he added.

About electoral alliance in UP, Mr Raja said the party would join hands with the Jan Morcha of former Prime Minister V P Singh and the CPI(M).

To a question, he reiterated the demand to bring down prices of petroleum products following the fall in the global oil market.

UNI