CPI, CPM to resolve conflict of opinion

Left parties will meet next week

The CPI and the CPI(M) will meet next week to resolve their "not overarching" differences, over common issues.

Despite several discussions, the Left parties, particularly the CPI and the CPI(M), continue to have divergent views on several issues like the foreign direct investment limit in the civil aviation sector, the proposed privatisation of Mumbai and Delhi airports, Manipur and now the truckers' strike.

But the CPI said their differences would not affect the Left's relations with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, which they are supporting from outside.

On not being taken into confidence by the government while deciding to waive debate on the Finance Bill in Parliament on August 26 and CPI(M) MP Nilotpal Basu's remarks that his party had been consulted, the CPI said the two parties had different experiences and different views were bound evolve out of these experiences.

"These are no issues. The matter does not relate to policy decisions, it only concerns the procedures and functioning of Parliament," said D Raja, CPI secretary. When the Left collectively discussed issues, one view could be expected, he added.

On truckers' strike, while the CPI feels that truck owners have resorted to blackmail to get their demands fulfilled, the CPI(M) has formally joined the negotiations between truckers and the government. A delegation of truckers today met Harkishan Singh Surjeet, CPI(M) general secretary, to seek his help in resolving the difference.

On the FDI cap in the aviation sector, the CPI is open to inviting foreign capital into certain sectors of the industry such as catering. The CPI(M) until recently was opposed to the move.

However, it is believed, the government at the August 25 meeting of the UPA-Left parties managed to persuade the CPI(M) to change its stand in exchange for maintaining the Employees Provident Fund interest rate at 9.5 per cent.

But the privatisation of Mumbai and Delhi airports remains a point of difference.

On the Manipur issue, the CPI has been pushing for a repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and for shifting the Assam Rifles out of the state.

The CPI(M) feels that the Act cannot be lifted from the whole state given the insurgency. It is also not for shifting of the Assam Rifles out of Manipur because the paramilitary force has an expertise in dealing with the situation.

While the two parties are united on the PF rate and in opposing the FDI in the telecom and insurance sectors, differences over other issues are growing. The top leaders of both the parties are expected to short out these issues at the meeting.