Date:22/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/22/stories/2008012254710700.htm

Andhra Pradesh

UNPA hails CPI (M) move

K. Venkateshwarlu

HYDERABAD: The United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) convener, N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Monday hailed the Communist Party of India (Marxist)’s proposal to work towards a third political alternative and extended full support to the move. Mr. Naidu told presspersons that the CPI (M)’s move was a good one, as people were fed up with the “anti-people” policies of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and the communal politics of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He said he agreed with CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat that such political alternative should be formed on a long- term basis and not merely for elections. It was too early to say if the Left and the UNPA would form an alliance to face the next general elections. “At present, we want to focus on the failures of the UPA government. Agriculture is in doldrums and the common man is hit by hike in prices of essential commodities.”