CPI(M) to exert pressure on Centre to implement CMP

Hyderabad, Jan 25 (UNI) Sounding a warning to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre against any hike in the prices of petroleum products, CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechuri today asserted that his party would exert pressure on the Manmohan Singh Government to implement the ''unkept promises'' made in the UPA Common Minimum Programme.

Talking to newspersons here, he maintained that the Centre could avoid a hike in the prices of petroleum products by passing on to refineries the additional revenue it had got by way of taxes in the wake of the rise in crude oil prices so far over and above the budget estimates of income from the sector.

Accusing the UPA Government of failing to increase the budgetary allocation for public health and education to three per cent and six per cent respectively, Mr Yechuri said his party would mount pressure on the Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram to fulfill the promises made in the CMP, which was the basis for support to the UPA Government to keep the communal forces out of power.

The party would strive for emergence of Third alternative in national politics and mobilise people through struggles against the ''anti-people'' policies of the UPA Government, the CPI(M) leader said, adding that the party would not hesitate to join hands with other like-minded parties, including UNPA constituents. The CPI(M) had worked with UPA constituents like the DMK, RJD and NCP in joint struggles, he added.

The Left parties were yet to hear from the Centre on the outcome of talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) on the nuclear issue, he added.

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