CPI(M) Asks UPA Govt To Move Fast On CMP

 N S Arjun

THE CPI(M) has urged the UPA government to undertake with urgency the measures outlined in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP). It has identified five priority areas for this purpose, namely, unemployment guarantee scheme, food for work programme, rural infrastructure development, strengthening education sector by utilising the amount from education cess, and improving  health delivery system in the rural areas.

The CPI(M) message to the government came after a day-long meeting of the Polit Bureau in New Delhi on September 17.

Briefing newspersons, Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury said the PB felt the government should act fast in this direction in view of BJP-RSS efforts to rouse communal passions in the country, particularly with the view of reaping benefits in the coming Maharashtra assembly polls. He asserted that the people of Maharashtra would defeat this nefarious design of the communal combine.

The Polit Bureau also discussed the situation in Manipur and the entire north east region. It wanted the central government to take steps to restore normalcy in Manipur, said Yechury. On Jammu & Kashmir, the Polit Bureau noted that there was not much progress in the talks with various groups, and wanted the government to move ahead. Yechury also informed that the Polit Bureau had discussed about the preliminary preparations for the 18th party congress to be held in New Delhi in the month of April 2005. He said the process has begun with branch conferences taking place in various states.

Responding to a reporter’s submission that the Planning Commission has expressed doubts about finding resources for implementing the proposed employment guarantee scheme, Yechury said “nothing has changed from the time this was included in the CMP and today to warrant such fresh doubts.” Asked why the Left was publicly opposing the economic policy decisions of the government, Yechury clarified that the Left was forced to react to the public pronouncements by various government ministers. He wanted the government to refrain from announcing important policy decisions without consultation.

Yechury informed the media that the prime minister had invited Jyoti Basu for lunch the next day, September 18 afternoon. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was also to be present at the lunch along with CPI(M) general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet and Sitaram Yechury.