CPI(M) would oppose compromise on country's freedom: Brinda

Kottayam, May 1 (UNI) Communist Party of India (Marxist) Polit Bureau Member Brinda Karat today warned the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government that the CPI(M) would not tolerate any policy or any step, which would compromise the hard-earned Independence and freedom of the country.

Inaugurating a May-day Conference at Pambady, near here, she said to get freedom from poverty we had to ensure freedom of our own country.

Criticising the Indo-US nuclear treaty, Ms Karat said it was symbolic of an unequal relationship and added that it was against the interest of the nation and the CPI (M) could not accept it.

Quoting the May-day slogan ''workers of the world unite'', she said it did not mean only male workers should unite, as a large section of the work force in India was women and they should not be discriminated.

Capitalism was cruel to women, she said and emphasised the need for respecting women and fighting against dowry menace, a system of capitalism.

Clarifying the food crisis situation in the country, CPI(M) leader said there was no drop in food production and the present crisis was result of the pro-market forces policy of the Government.

Referring to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's advice to the Left leaders on the rice problem in Kerala that they should not play politics with the misery of the people, Ms Karat alleged that the misery had been caused because of the policies of the Centre.

Talking about the Congress dharna against the State government in protest against the food crisis in the State, she said if the venue was shifted from Thiruvananthapuram to New Delhi, CPI(M) would also participate in the dharna.

Ms Karat reiterated the party's demand for a comprehensive legislation for unorganised sector.

UNI VST GT KP1956