CPI again talks of withdrawing support, says cadres upset

Mon, May 12 02:52 AM

With the Government unable to control rising prices and re-energising its efforts to operationalise the civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the US, Left parties were under pressure from their cadres to review their support to the UPA Government, CPI leader A B Bardhan said on Sunday.

Addressing reporters after a two-day national executive of the CPI, Bardhan said the Left parties were taking a very "serious" view of the two issues and would form a coordinated plan to confront the Government very soon.

"A large number of our followers have been questioning whether it is worthwhile to support a Government which pays no attention to our demands. We are taking a very serious view of such sentiments and the matter would be discussed at a meeting of all Left parties on May 23," he said.

He admitted that there was pressure from within to review support. "The Left will discuss this growing pressure and see what can be done," he said.

Bardhan said price rise and the nuclear deal dominated discussions at the party national executive. He said it was unfortunate that the Government was reviving its efforts to complete the nuclear deal despite opposition from all quarters.

"The Prime Minister has mentioned about statements of former President A P J Abdul Kalam in support of this deal. We have great respect for Kalam and his wisdom. But there are others with equal wisdom who have opposed this deal," he said.

On the issue of price rise, Bardhan said his party's campaign on the issue across the country had been a success so far and would continue till May 15. He said the sustained pressure from the Left parties had led the Government to ban futures trading in some commodities.

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