Left to oppose NALCO, NLC disinvestment: CPI

UPA cannot pursue "neo-liberal economic policies" and must adhere to the Common Minimum Programme.

Accusing the Centre of pursuing reckless disinvestment policies, the CPI on Monday said the Left parties will oppose the UPA government's move to offload stakes in central PSUs NALCO and Neyveli Lignite Corporation.

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Addressing a press conference in Bangalore, CPI secretary D Raja, also a member of the UPA-Left Coordination Committee, alleged that the government's economic policies were influenced by "international capital and MNCs". He also said the government should adopt a "midcourse correction".

"Just because the previous government has done something, it is not necessary that the present government should go ahead with the same policies. There can be departures," he said.

Raja said the Left parties have submitted a note to the UPA in the last coordination committee, adding, they would have a "frank, hard talk" with the ruling alliance, likely in early July. "UPA will have to respond to the note."

UPA cannot pursue "neo-liberal economic policies" and must adhere to the Common Minimum Programme.

"UPA cannot take the support of Left for granted. If it does that, it will have to face the consequences," Raja said.

On the possibility of a third front, he said the third front sans the Congress and the BJP cannot be an electoral front and "it's not a ready-made thing".

"In fact,the Left is striving for an alternative, which should emerge from people's movements, struggles based on policies and programmes," he said.