UPA going the NDA way, says CPM

NEW DELHI: In what marks a toughening of stance against the UPA government''s economic policies, the CPM has accused it of going the NDA way. It plans to launch an agitation against these ‘harmful economic'' policies.
In the ‘draft political resolution'' for it''s 18th Congress next month in Delhi, the CPM has come down heavily on the government, criticising it for going the NDA way.CPM ideologues have minced no words in saying that the UPA is pursuing the same policies of liberalisation and privatisation that were adopted by the BJP-led government.
"The UPA government is moving on the understanding that the core issues of economic policies, liberalisation and privatisation, should be left to the government to pursue. The Left is expected to raise it''s concerns about the impact of such policies on employment, food supply, education and health with a view to get some minor concessions or relief for the people. Our party cannot accept such an approach," says the CPM.
Though the CPM''s criticism of the UPA government is nothing new, one wonders if the usage of such tough words is an indication of things to come. In the past too, the CPM has been critical of the UPA''s economic policies but in more measured terms.
The changed tone suggests that the Marxists may like to keep the government on a tighter leash. "We do not expect this government to follow the Left policies. But we will not allow them to follow the NDA''s policies either. People''s mobilisation is the only way to stop it," says CPM leader Nilotpal Basu.
The CPM Congress will not only get them more media attention but also help in building pressure on it''s allies. "Notwithstanding certain policy measures in the Common Minimum Programme, the government is unwilling to change course, and, in essence, pursues the same policies as that of the Vajpayee government," the party feels. It talks of issues such as FDI in banks, insurance and privatisation of airports.
"The UPA government wants to further liberalise the financial sector by facilitating the takeover of Indian private banks by foreign banks by implementing a proposal to allow 74% FDI announced by the previous government. It desires to privatise the insurance sector further. It is going ahead with the privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports, a step initiated by the BJP-led government."