CPM to hold nationwide demonstrations on May 15

Nashik, May 13: CPM politbureau member Brinda Karat today said her party will hold nationwide demonstrations in front of the government offices on May 15 against inflation and rising food prices.

''The CPM will observe nationwide demonstrations in front of the Central government offices across the country on May 15 against inflation and rising food prices. Only West Bengal and Karnataka will be barred from these agitations,'' said Ms Karat while talking to reporters here. The public distribution system had been wreaked by giving tenders of ration procurement to private companies, she alleged and called for public procurement of the same.Reiterating her party's demands for cut in excise and import duties and ban on future trading to curb inflationary trend, she said it would have a cascading effect on other things.

The CPM leader blamed the BJP for its dual policies and its role in destroying the public distribution system and weakening of the Essential Commodities Management Act (ESMA).

Asked about whose candidature her party would endorse for the Prime Minister's post in the elections due next year, Ms Karat said ''their stand is policy based and not individual oriented.'' On Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's agitation against the north Indians, she said it was against the Constitution and harmful to the country's unity.

UNI