Introspect on economic policies, Left to UNPA

New Delhi, July 23 (UNI) Left parties today asked the constituents of the United National Progressive Alliance to" reconsider" their endorsement of the economic policies during the NDA regime, saying the move could eventually lead to an emergence of an alternative to ensure inclusive growth.

They asserted that on no occasion did they leave out secular and progressive forces including the regional parties out of the ambit of any such effort while reiterating that they had to join people's struggles on economic matters which hurt the man in the street, the peasantry and working classes the most.

The Left parties' remarks came in the wake of the UNPA opposing the NDA-backed Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates and the TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu's categorical statement opposing both the" communal agenda"of the BJP and the" pro- rich" economic policies of the Congress.

Talking to UNI, the Left leaders also foresaw the domination of issues including women empowerment and the vast opportunities for everyone who showed excellence and competence leading to the inclusive growth in the 21st century in social, economic and political spheres.

CPI leaders A Bardhan and Shamim Faizi said the Left had been consistent in their opposition to the new economic policies introduced in 1991 by the Narasmiha Rao regime, followed by the Vajpayee government.

While Mr Bardhan said every secular and progressive force should work towards creating " an alternative", Mr Faizi, the party's national Secretary, was more categorical saying," the Left will like the UNPA constituents to declare clearcut their economic policies and programmes so as to ensure that the economic development should ensure justice for all." CPI(M) senior leader Mohammad Salim maintained that the political consistency shown by certain partners in the UNPA was welcome that the real question was whether they would" re-consider'' the economic policies that they had been supporting with "conviction." Forward Bloc national Secretary G Devrajan emphasised the greater unity of the Left, secular and progressive forces was the need of the hour as '' people were increasingly getting alienated from both the naitonal parties.'' "The political vacuum had to be filled by these forces including the regional parties," Mr Devrajan said.

On Mrs Pratibha Patil's elevation to the country's highest constituional office, Mr Salim, party Deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, said that earlier there were certain segments which were percieved as not being for the certain gender.

" In modern India of the 21st century, her victory has opened the gates for the womenfolk to also excel in decision making. Even the minorities, be it the Muslims and others, will have now more opportunities," Mr Salim said.

The CPI(M) senior leader said this would give impetus to every section of society to display his or her expertise in any sphere of life, he added.

UNI