CPI146;s wishlist for draft CMP

The CPI leaders today said they will let 8216;8216;the Congress draft the common minimum programme CMP8217;8217; and 8216;8216;if we...

The CPI leaders today said they will let 8216;8216;the Congress draft the common minimum programme CMP8217;8217; and 8216;8216;if we are satisfied we will give our inputs8217;8217;.

Saying the basis of support to the Congress government as 8216;8216;secularism8217;8217; and nothing else, senior CPIM Politburo member Prakash Karat defended the Left8217;s non-participation in the CMP exercise. 8216;8216;We want the Congress to prepare the draft because we have to see what is on its mind,8217;8217; he said.

Within two or three days, the Congress is likely to circulate the CMP draft among the allies and the Left parties to respond. 8216;8216;It is a coalition led by the Congress. We don8217;t expect them to adopt all our policies,8217;8217; Karat said.

The CPI has forwarded a list of suggestions. 8216;8216;They will have a clear idea of what our policies are. And then, we will give our inputs to the drafts,8217;8217; party general secretary A.B. Bardhan said.

Following are some of the suggestions forwarded by CPI as announced by Bardhan:

8226;Privatisation and Disinvestment: Ministry of disinvestment is an 8216;8216;anachronism8217;8217; and it should go, privatisation of profit-making public companies be halted and for other public companies, efforts to be made for turnaround.

8226;POTA: Should be repealed and those held under it and against whom no chargesheets have been filed for over six months be released after review of their cases.

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8226;Foreign policy: Friendship with all countries, including the US. But India cannot be subservient to US 8216;8216;imperialist machinations8217;8217;.

8226; Improve and strengthen relations with neighbouring countries, including Pakistan 8226; Support the cause of Palestine, bring back Indian mercenaries sent to Iraq on contractual jobs.

8226;Agriculture: Implement land reform laws, redistribute excess land.

8226;Subsidies: No question on reducing it8230;wherever possible, it should be increased.

8226;Petroleum: No increase in price of kerosene, if possible, bring down prices.

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8226;Education: Set up review committee to correct all distortions in text books.

8226;No unscientific River linking but work for more river water sharing among states.

8226;Labour: Right to strike should be ensured.