CPI for review of Left's support to gov; CPI(M) rejects view

New Delhi, July 11 (UNI) The top CPI leadership will meet over the next three days from tomorrow to discuss the current economic and political scenario and review the basis of the Left's support to the Manmohan Singh government.

The party's 125-member National Council, which will commence discussions at the party headquarters, has a heavy agenda with the National Executive recommending a review of the basis of support to the UPA government in the context of the recent economic and foreign policy drift by it.

The CPI's insistance on review of the support, is in direct conflict with the 'big brother', the CPI(M) rejecting its call for reconsidering the basis of the support.

''At this juncture, it (review) would be counterproductive and the resultant crisis will only help the BJP and the rightwing forces. As against this, we should take positions on issues when they come up,'' a political developments report , adopted by the Central Committtee of the party at its June 24-26 meeting said. CPI National Secretary Shamim Faizi told UNI that his party is perturbed over the unabated price rise, the government's craze for sanctioning SEZs, the empowered Group of Ministers recommending 5,000 acre limit for SEZs, the decision to allow FDI in the retail sector, the drafting of a weak Bill for the workforce in the unorganised sector among other economic issues.

In the foreign policy matter, the CPI has expressed serious concern over the haste shown by the negotiations with the United States on the civil nuclear cooperation. It has also taken strong exception to the statement of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, terming the NAM as ''irrevelant''.

The US pressure against the conclusion of a treaty on Iran-Pakistan-India Gas Pipeline Project also irked the Left party, said Mr Faizi.

The Left party is also dismayed over what it called the ''distortion of implementation of good schemes like the National Rural Employment Scheme, Right to Information and the Tribal Rights Law.'' ''It is amazing that no rules have yet been framed for the Act,'' the CPI leader said, adding that the government had also failed in prosecuting the Action taken Report on the much touted Sachar Committee Report, Mr Faizi said.

The ''intentional'' delay in introducing the Women Reservation Bill continued to embarrass the Left party, he said.

The issue of August 10 Vice-Presidential poll, too, will come up for discussion as the Left has claimed to have a greater say in choosing the successor for Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

Significantly, party General Secretary A B Bardhan, the veteran Communist and freedom fighter, appears to the front runner for the coveted post.

UNI