Central committee to decide poll strategy: Karat

The CPI-M Central Committee will decide the alliance and strategy for states that are going to polls later this year at its two-day meeting from February 17, politburo member Prakash Karat said today.
As far as West Bengal is concerned, the state committee will take a decision at its two-day meeting from February 12 and the Central Committee will take a final call, Karat told reporters here.
After West Bengal, the Central committee will meet for two days to decide the strategy and possible alliances in various states, including Tamil Nadu.
CPI-M is part of a four-party People's Welfare Front in Tamil Nadu, where MDMK, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal and CPI, are partners.

On the general budget, Karat said financial allocation to people-oriented sectors, like education and health, should not be reduced.
Hitting out at the Centre for increasing excise duty on crude oil, thrice this year, the senior party leader said the government failed to pass on the benefit to common man and instead put a burden on them, as the prices of essential commodities and other goods have gone up.
There was no smooth relationship among NDA partners in the government, as BJP was taking decision without consulting them, he claimed.