Faced with the option of either “making the UPA Government work or withdrawing support”, the CPI(M) leadership decided to go for the first option, at least for the time being, at the Central Committee meeting. Though comrades from the states strongly held that the party’s credibility would be at stake if it continues to support a “hugely unpopular UPA Government”, the central leadership said that the time was not right to go for the ultimate step. They were of the opinion that such a step would benefit the BJP, especially in the backdrop of Karnataka polls.Refuting reports that it was informed in advance by the Government on increasing petroleum prices, party general secretary Prakash Karat said the CPI(M) was totally against any hike in petroleum prices. “We are opposed to any rise in prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas. We don’t want to negotiate on this issue,” he said.Addressing a press conference, Karat said the issues of price rise and inflation were discussed during the two-day Central Committee. “The CC has authorsied the Politburo to call for a countrywide protest along with secular opposition parties if the Government announces a price hike,” he said.“Its failure in Karnataka elections has proved to be a boon in disguise for the UPA Government,” sources said, adding that the party has arrived at a conclusion that it would continue to support the UPA Government unless it commits some major blunders, they added. The CC has asked the Politburo to build up pressure from all sides “to make the Government work” and this includes nationwide agitations and strikes with the support of other “secular parties”.On the party’s poor performance in West Bengal panchayat polls, Karat said disunity in the Left front led to the party’s poor performance in certain areas and remedial measures would be taken to address the issue. He said the West Bengal state committee has been asked to prepare a detailed review of what went wrong in the panchayat elections. However, he maintained that the party has polled 54 per cent of the votes in the three-tier elections, despite a complete gang-up of all anti-CPI(M) forces.Meanwhile, the CPI has also issued a statement warning the UPA Government against any move to hike petroleum prices. Maintaining that the Centre had not considered alternate options recommended by the Left to deal with the soaring global oil prices, the party has criticised the Government for “seeking easy way out” and imposing “hefty” burden on the people. The party has called for protests on price rise on June 6.
