CPI-M to support DMDK in bypoll

Nagapattinam, Feb 25: CPI-M's Tamil Nadu unit on Friday said it would support the DMDK in the March 18 assembly by-election to the Sankarankoil constituency.

The party had decided to support the DMDK since the AIADMK government has not measured up to the expectations of the people, CPI-M state secretary G Ramakrishnan told reporters after the third day deliberations of the party state conference here.

"Particularly, the steep hike in the price of milk and bus fare has affected the people, especially the poor," he said.

On the other hand, the DMK, which is part of the UPA government at the centre, had not cared to oppose the "wrong" economic policies of the Congress, he said.

"So, we cannot support the DMK, he said.

Another resolution expressed concern over the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils.

Even three years after the LTTE was defeated, the Sri Lankan government has not taken steps for an acceptable political solution for Tamils there, it alleged.

Progress achieved in resettlement and rehabilitation was also not encouraging, another resolution alleged and appealed to the Indian Government to pressure Sri Lanka to resolve the issues.

The party has also decided to organise agitations to find solutions for the problems affecting the common man

CPI(M) urged the government to ensure that the schools affiliated to the CBSE collected nominal fee as prescribed by the Union Government. A resolution to this effect was adopted at the conference.

The party urged the Government to enhance the basic infrastructure in Government schools and appoint adequate number of teachers. "Steps should be taken to remove the inequality in quality of education between different regions and different classes of people," a resolution said.

PTI