The FDI issue returned to rattle the Left today, with news of a Cabinet note on a hike in the telecom sector doing the rounds. Left leaders hurriedly called a press conference, fielding the CPI(M)’s Prakash Karat to ask ‘‘the government to pause and consider the Left view’’.While the Left was annoyed over the note, Karat tried to sound reasonable, voicing the ‘‘fears’’ of the four constituent parties. ‘‘We know we cannot influence every policy decision of the Government.there will be agreements and disagreements.’’The CPI(M) Politburo member said the Left has decided to release the two notes they had submitted to the government on FDI in telecom and insurance sectors, to explain its reasons for adhering to these standpoints.Karat said the Cabinet note was probably in circulation even when the Left leaders had gone to 7 Race Course Road on August 25 for the coordination meeting. They had come to know the note was in circulation in the Ministry of Telecommunication to begin with, he added.He skirted queries on whether his party or the Left bloc felt cheated. ‘‘You want to raise the temperature. But our temperature is normal,’’ he said. Asked what the Left would do if the government decided to hike FDI caps, he said: ‘‘When it comes to that, we shall tell you what we’ll do.’’Karat said the Left was not rushing to hasty judgments on the basis of a Cabinet note being circulated. The Left was aware that the note in itself did not mean a decision had been taken. ‘Ministers would give their opinion. It has not yet gone to the Cabinet.’’Karat said the Left was opposed to FDI hike in the telecom sector as it would entail security compromises. It could open electronic eavesdropping, thereby surrendering India’s security considerations. The Left is not against FDI in modernising Delhi and Mumbai airports. ‘‘We don’t think the proposal to raise the sectoral cap from 40 to 49 pc is as damaging.’’ He said regarding the airports modernisation programme, the Government has suggested some modifications but ‘‘we have not agreed to the proposal’’.
