Left may return to UPA meet

The Left parties are likely to resume participation in the UPA-Left coordination committee. They will meet on October 10 to discuss UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi8217;s letter, intimating the government8217;s decision to keep BHEL disinvestment on hold and asking them to consider returning to the coordination committee.

CPI general secretary A B Bardhan said that unless the four parties formally meet on the issue, it would be premature to comment on the Left8217;s return to the UPA-Left meetings.

Left leaders say the government8217;s assurance that BHEL disinvestment had been put on hold was a positive step. However, such an assurance falls short of their demand8212;outlined in their June 26 letter to Sonia8212;that disinvestment in PSU navratnas should be put on hold.