Support to UPA: Left to review after budget

Karur (Tamil Nadu), Feb 4: The Left Parties will reconsider support to the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre after the Union Budget is presented in the Lok Sabha on February 29, Communist Party of India State Secretary T Pandian said.

Addressing the press here yesterday, Mr Pandian said the Left Parties would take a decision on support to the UPA Government only after taking into consideration the merits and demerits of the Union Budget. To a question, he said the Left would make all out efforts to form a viable political Third Front at the national level in the ensuing elections to the Lok Sabha.

Referring to ongoing atrocities against Tamils in Sri Lanka, Mr Pandian wanted the Indian Government to condemn firmly the aerial attacks on innocent Tamils whose interests must be protected.

He wanted the Union Government to take suitable action for removing sea mines planted by the Lankan Navy and protect the life of Indian fishermen who ventured into the sea for livelihood.

Though the DMK-led Government was undertaking several welfare measures in the State, the needy were suffering as they were unable to avail the benefits due to corruption among officials, Mr Pandian alleged.

He also took strong exception to AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa's behaviour in Tamil Nadu Assembly. To a question, he wanted Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to take steps for starting more government medical colleges instead of engineering colleges.

UNI