Cpm Criticises Uf Thrust On Privatisation

The CPI(M) yesterday criticised the United Front government for its growing thrust towards privatisation, claiming that the government appeared to be oblivious of the disastrous consequences of the IMF-World Bank dictated policies.

Addressing newsmen after the conclusion of three-day central committee meeting of the party, party general secretary HS Surjeet said the UF government was not aware of the fact that the previous Congress government was routed in the last general elections due to its economic policies.

He said the peoples discontentment with such policies was bound to grow. The CPI(M) and other Left parties would put pressure on the government on these issues. The meeting decided to launch a nation-wide mass struggle against price rise and a host of other economic issues in association with other Left parties.

The party will also start a national movement against privatisation of insurance, job loss in the public sector and demand the revival of sick industries and implementation of land reforms, the central committee decided.

The meeting decided to launch country-wide mass struggle to defend the peoples interests and launch a political campaign in association with the left and democratic parties for alternative economic policies, he said.

The central committee authorised the politbureau to chalk out concrete plans for the all-India movement. The party has also decided to support the agitational plans of the National Platform of Mass Organisations.

Surjeet said the issue of combating corruption by punishing all those guilty in scams would also be taken up.

On the CBI investigation in the Bofors payoff case, he said that the relevant facts should be placed in Parliament.

Although the CPI(M) has been critical of the economic policies of the UF since its inception, the party choose issues like the proposed privatisation of the insurance sector, disinvestment of PSU shares, opening up of the coal sector and the liberalised foreign direct investment and imports regime.

Asked about the compulsion for its support to the government when it had reservations against the economic policies, Surjeet said the partys main objective was to keep the BJP out of power.