People's Democracy

 Left Firm In Its Opposition

Sonia Meets With Karat

IN a press conference held on July 1, 2005, at the CPI(M) Party office, general secretary, CPI(M) Prakash Karat stated that on the issue of disinvestment in BHEL, the Left Front is  firm in its opposition to disinvestment in navaratna companies in the public sector.

Karat was accompanied by the CPI leader D Raja in the press conference. Prior to holding this press conference the Left Front leaders had met Mrs Sonia Gandhi in response to her invitation to discuss the issue of disinvestment in BHEL. In their meeting with Mrs Gandhi the two leaders spelled out the approach of the Left to the disinvestment. Earlier a letter was addressed to Mrs Gandhi on this issue. Moreover, in protest against the intransigent stand of Manmohan Singh’s government on disinvestment issue, the Left had decided not to attend the meeting of the coordination committee. Giving details of their talk with Mrs Gandhi on disinvestment issue, the two leaders pointed out that since their talk was inconclusive with the UPA chairperson it will be continued in future. In response to a question from the press, the CPI(M) general secretary clarified that the support of the Left to the UPA government will continue despite the controversy on disinvestment in the navaratna  companies of the public sector.

Full text of the statement released at the press conference:

Prakash Karat and D Raja met the Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, at her request. The meeting was held to discuss the letter sent by the Left Parties regarding the disinvestment of shares in the BHEL and the navaratna companies.

On behalf of the Left Parties, both Prakash Karat and D Raja explained the stand of the Left Parties regarding the violation of the specific provision of the Common Minimum Programme about navaratna companies in the context of the BHEL disinvestment. 

Mrs Sonia Gandhi, after hearing the Left leaders, suggested that a way should be found to settle the matter as early as possible. The Left leaders responded with the hope that the discussions will help resolve the issue.  (INN)