Date:10/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/10/stories/2008031055151200.htm

Front Page

Date for UPA-Left panel meeting on nuclear deal to be fixed today

Sandeep Joshi

Left parties to stage dharna against rising prices on March 18

— Photo: PTI

CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat addressing the media in New Delhi on Sunday.

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat on Sunday said the next date for the crucial meeting of the United Progressive Alliance-Left joint committee on the nuclear deal would be decided on Monday.

Addressing presspersons after the three-day meeting of the party’s Central Committee here, Mr. Karat said the Left parties would stage a dharna, in protest against the rising prices, before Parliament on March 18.

“The next date for meeting of the UPA-Left committee on nuclear deal has to be decided keeping in mind the convenience of all constituents of UPA as well as the Left Front. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee is holding talks with other parties to finalise a date, which is likely to be announced tomorrow [Monday],” Mr. Karat said, adding that the Left parties were in no hurry and want to discuss the issue thoroughly.

Asked whether the Left would withdraw support from the Congress-led UPA if the Government went ahead with the nuclear deal, Mr. Karat said general elections and the nuclear deal issue were two different matters.

“We are in no hurry to know what transpired between the Government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at Vienna on the India-specific safeguards agreement. Let the Government tell us about it when we meet,” he added.

Giving details about the meeting of the party’s highest policy-making body, Mr. Karat said the Left dharna was to demand urgent steps from the Centre to control the rising prices. He said the Union budget 2008-09 had failed to address the problems of inflation and price rise.

“The Central Committee has expressed its serious concern at the continuing rise in the prices of all essential commodities. The price rise is particularly steep on food grains which is badly affecting the lives of the poor,” the Central Committee statement said, demanding higher allocation to the States under the public distribution system, reserving of fuel prices by cutting taxes, ban on futures trading in agriculture commodities and stringent action against hoarders.

Hailing the party’s victory in the Tripura elections, the Central Committee asked the Government to introduce the Women’s Reservation Bill in the current session of Parliament so that one of the key commitments of the UPA’s common minimum programme is fulfilled.

The CPI-M condemned the statements made by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray against north Indians. Demanding strict penal action against those behind attacks on north Indians in Mumbai, the CPI-M criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party for continuing its alliance with the Shiv Sena.

The Central Committee asked the Centre not to close down the existing Hyderabad and Bangalore airports to facilitate opening of new airports in this city by private players.