CPI warns Centre against failure to control inflation, prices

Puducherry, May 20 (UNI) CPI National Secretary D Raja today warned that the UPA Government at the Centre would have to face a ''setback'' in politics if it continued to adopt the same stand in curbing inflation and price rise.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Raja claimed in the recent past, the BJP had won the Assembly elections in some states not because of its credibility, but due to the ''wrong'' policies of the Congress.

Mr Raja alleged that though the Left parties had suggested several measures, including provision of essential commodities through the PDS at subsidised rates and ban on online trade, to curb price rise and inflation, the Centre had failed to accept them and functioned with the sole intention of ''enhancing'' the GDP.

The party, which had already organised agitations on the issue, would plunge into ''direct action'' at the places where hoarding and black marketing takes place on June 6.

Mr Raja demanded that the Centre clarify whether Tamil Nadu fishermen had the right for fishing near Kachtheevu and if they did not have it, the agreement formed in 1974 should be reviewed.

On the Indo-US nuclear deal, Mr Raja said the party would continue to oppose it. The US was exerting pressure on India since they ''want to make India a good nuclear market for them,'' he maintained.

On Puducherry's statehood issue, the demanded that the PMK should make its stance clear. The view expressed by PMK leader M Ramadass that Puducherry should opt for special category state status after the Legislators supported a government resolution in this regard in the House ''sounds strange'', he added.

Regarding the reported difference of opinion between Chief Minister N Rangasamy and the Lt Governor, Mr Raja said if an elected government was functioning as per the constitutional guidelines, the Lt Governor would have to play only a limited role.

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