We never wanted FDI in education: Prakash Karat

When it comes to its own, CPM has a different take on WikiLeaks - take them with a pinch of salt. CPM general secretary Prakash Karat on Sunday emphasised that its leaders go by the programmes of the party, contrary to what wikileaks suggested.

When it comes to its own, CPM has a different take on WikiLeaks - take them with a pinch of salt. CPM general secretary Prakash Karat on Sunday emphasised that its leaders go by the programmes of the party, contrary to what wikileaks suggested.

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As the party's approach to foreign direct investment (FDI) is debated in wikileaks, Karat said the party's stand on FDI rests on three factors - help raise production capacity, acquire new technology and generate employment. He iterated opposition to FDI in retail trade, higher education and mining.

Opposing the government to allow business houses to run commercial banks, Karat said the reports of former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee supporting FDI in higher education was before the party came out with its stand on the issue.

Karat said subsequent to what Bhattacharjee told the American official, the party discussed the issue of FDI in higher education and took a stand to oppose the opening of foreign university centres in India.

He also said that at one point, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had asked the head of US retail trade giant WalMart to meet Bhattacharjee and convince him on FDI in the sector. But the former CM conveyed the party's opposition to opening up of the sector.

"Whether it is Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee or VS Achuthananandan or Prakash Karat, we go by our understanding of party programme," Karat said, adding that the CPM took a position on FDI as the situation evolved just as it strongly opposed the Indo-US nuclear deal.