Support is based on CMP: Left warns govt

Reacting strongly to Union Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi's comments that they were free to withdraw support to the government, the Left parties today said the Congress should not forget that their backing was based on the coalition adhering to the Common Minimum Programme (CMP).

"As a political party, we take political decisions. We are fully aware of our responsibilities. We take appropriate decisions at an appropriate time," CPI-M politburo member Yechury said from Ranchi.

"Our support to the government is based only on the CMP which it should strictly follow," he said.

"The Left knows how to play its role. We have been asking the government to strictly adhere to the CMP and perform in the interests of the people," CPI national secretary Raja said.

Both Yechury and Raja said Dasmunshi had made the comments in the context of a debate with West Bengal Minister Manab Mukherjee, who had said the UPA should follow the Left's economic model.

"It was mere rhetoric," Raja said.  RSP leader Abani Roy said the ruling coalition "should never forget that our support is based on the commitments made in the CMP".