Karat appeals to church leaders for resolving differences

Kottayam, Feb 11 (UNI) CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat today appealed to Church leadership to refrain from issuing pastoral letters against the Communist and resolve the differences through dialogues.

Inaugurating the party state conference here, Mr Karat said the CPI(M) was committed to protect the rights of minorities and preserve secularism.

Criticising the Congress for calling a 'hartal' in the state against the Left government to protest price rise of essential commodities, Mr Karat asked the Congress to hold the 'hartal' in Delhi to register their protest.

Emphasising the need for a Third Alternative at the Centre, he said the CPI(M) was committed to build a Third Alternative based on anti-communal and pro-people economic and independent foreign policies.

Admitting differences of opinion among the Left constituents, Mr Karat said it was natural to have differences of opinion without strong discussions to settle it.

Mr Karat also criticised the UPA government for pursuing ''pro-US policies''.

''By launching the Israeli spy satellite, India is helping Israel's hostile activities against Arab countries,'' he charged.

Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and CPI(M) Polit Bureau members S Ramachandran Pillai and R Umanath were present at the conference, which will conclude with a mass rally and public meeting on February 14.

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