CPI wants Left parties to ?redefine? ties with UPA

Raising a whole lot of issues, from the Indo-US nuclear deal to FDI in retail trade, the CPI on Sunday said it would urge other Left parties to ?redefine? their relations with the UPA government.

Talking to reporters after a three-day meeting of his party?s national council, CPI general secretary AB Bardhan held that the UPA establishment was responsible for rising prices of essential commodities.

?UPA is singularly responsible for the failure on major economic policy issues like checking prices of essential commodities. Our National Council has sought a review of the Centre?s performance in the past three years. I don?t think even the UPA will disagree with it,? Bardhan said.

?The CPI is of the view that the four Left parties, which together extended outside support to the UPA government, should also review the situation and redefine their approach to it,? he added.

Maintaining that ?only two years are left? for the government the veteran Communist said, ?The UPA partners should also review the performance of the government seriously. They will have to face the people in the next election.?

Earlier also, the CPI had sought a review of the support given by the Left parties to the UPA government. But the CPI(M) in its political resolution adopted by the central committee recently said there is no need to withdraw support to the UPA as it would only help the BJP.

When asked for a clarification on the term ?redefine,? Bardhan said, ?I am not saying that we should withdraw support right now. What I am saying is to redefine our attitude towards UPA and decide on how to go about with our relationship.?

Commenting on the recent developments on the Indo-US nuclear deal Bardhan said the Parliament and the people should be taken into confidence before clinching the deal.

?Any agreement on the nuclear deal should be subject to ratification by Parliament,? he added.

Bardhan also criticised the UPA government?s proposal for a joint naval exercise with the US, Australia, Singapore and Japan.

?Our neighbouring countries are watching the situation suspiciously. This is part of attempts by the US and its allies to draw India into its military strategic plans. India should pull out if it,? he said.