Left endorses agenda

REACTIONS/ COMMON MINIMUM PROGRAMME

The Left parties today "broadly endorsed" the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the Congress-led coalition government, but said they had "differing positions" on a range of economic issues and were not in favour of the document addressing the question of new states.

"The Left parties broadly endorse the Common Minimum Programme of the United Progress Alliance. The implementation of the CMP will be in consonance with the verdict given by the people," a statement signed by Harkishen Singh Surjeet of the CPI(M), AB Bardhan of the CPI, Debabrata Biswas of the Forward Bloc and Abani Roy of the RSP here said.

Welcoming the CMP, the Left parties, which have 64 members in Parliament, said they were consulted and their views considered in the formulation of the document.

But they said they had "differing positions on a range of economic policies" which concerned privatisation in various sectors, the public distribution system and certain fiscal policies.

"The Left parties will advocate alternative policies in these matters while continuing to support the government," the statement said.

In an apparent reference to the CMP's promise to consider the demand for a Telangana state "at an appropriate time," the Left parties said they were "not in favour of addressing the question of new states through the CMP."

CPI National Secretary D Raja described the CMP as a "comprehensive and positive document".

Raja, who was present at the press conference where it was released by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said the CMP "provides a policy framework and guidance to the new government to perform, keeping in view the verdict and aspirations of the people".

All the signatories to the statement "" Surjeet, Bardhan, Biswas and Abani Roy "" were also present at the venue.