Thaindian News

Kolkata, Feb 19 (IANS) Blaming the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government’s faulty policies for the poor and farmers’ plight, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Sunday said only the Left parties had alternative economic policies and would work to rally anti-Congress and anti-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) left and democratic forces.

In a strong attack on the UPA, Karat said it has “established a new record in corruption”, farmers were committing suicides across the country due to its faulty policies, while the prices of food and other essentials have skyrocketed.

“Our party and other Left parties will fight to protect the rights of the farmers and workers, fight against price rise and corruption.

“Only Left parties have policies which provided an alternative to those pursued by the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and other capitalist parties. We will work towards building a left and democratic alternative,” said Karat at the open session of the CPI-M’s 23rd state conference here.

He also accused the Trinamool Congress of indulging in politics of duality.

“The central government has been raising the petrol prices. After decontrolling petrol they have raised prices 15 times. In the UPA government, the Congress and Trinamool are partners. But whatever be the issue, whatever be the people’s problems, Trinamool takes a dual stand.”

“When the central government increased prices of petro-products, the decisions were taken by the council of ministers which included the Trinamool. But in Kolkata, the Trinamool says it had no idea that such decisions have been taken. And then they say we oppose these policies.”.

“They are continuing with such dual stands. Take decisions in Delhi and then oppose them in Kolkata,” he said.

Karat warned that due to the ongoing assembly elections in five states, the UPA has not hiked petrol prices for the last two months. But once the polls are over, the prices will rise again, he added.

He also attacked the Mamata Banerjee government for farmer suicides.

“In the last eight months 38 farm suicides have taken place in the state. Such a thing was unheard of during the 34 years of the Left Front regime. We demand immediate action from the government in this regard and also relief for the farmers,” added Karat.