CPI(M) to strive for third alternative at Centre: Karat

Hyderabad, Feb 8 (UNI) Dissatisfied with the economic and foreign policies pursued by the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre, CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat today said his party would strive for a third alternative at the Centre to pursue ''pro-poor'' economic and independent foreign policies.

Inaugurating the 22nd CPI(M) State Conference here, he said the liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation (LPG) policies pursued by the present UPA Government and the previous NDA Government were not good for the country's future.

The neo-liberal economic policies and pro-US foreign policy pursued by the UPA Government resulted in inflation and agrarian crisis in the country, he said.

Stating that the BJP was ''day-dreaming'' to repeat its success in Gujarat at the national-level, Mr Karat said the Left parties would tackle the challenges posed by the ''communal'' parties.

''The BJP is pursuing reactionary policies in the states where it had come to power,'' he alleged.

He said the Left parties had successfully thwarted the Centre's move to open up the retail sector to foreign direct investment (FDI) and prevented it from disinvesting profit-making Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

''Due to consistent pressure exerted by us, the Centre had come out with the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP) and provided the tribals right over lands,'' Mr Karat added.

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