Left gets its priority ‘right’

The CPM sent strong signals today that it would not rock the UPA Government under any circumstances. The high-pitched criticism of the Gover...

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The CPM sent strong signals today that it would not rock the UPA Government under any circumstances. The high-pitched criticism of the Government’s economic policies on the eve of the Politburo four days ago were toned down when the party released its Central Committee statement today.

True, the party has given a call for a national campaign for a week from August 25. But of the 11 issues to be highlighted during the campaign, the first three—as prioritised by the CPM—underline the ‘‘danger posed by the BJP-RSS combine seeking to revive the communal agenda’’.

The much-hyped FDI caps crisis is just one of the 11 issues. And, besides, the campaign will not lash out at the UPA Government. It will neither bite nor bark. It will only underline the ‘‘danger of discriminate opening up and handing over control of key sectors to foreign capital such as the increase in the FDI camp in telecom, insurance and civil aviation.’’

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And appended to it will be the slogan ‘‘Stop privatisation of the profit-making Delhi and Mumbai airports’’.

The fact that the CPM is only launching a countrywide campaign and not threatening any drastic action is clear indication that the Left does not want to appear to be a spoiler. The Central Committee reiterated its position on FDI caps in the three sectors of telecom, insurance and airports.

But the wording was much less strident—in fact, polite. For example, in respect to telecom FDI, the CPM only ‘‘voices its opposition.’’ Regarding insurance it says, ‘‘The insurance sector is vital for generating resources for the country’s development and the bulk of it should not be handed over to foreign private companies.’’

On airports, the statement says, ‘‘The Central Committee wants the UPA government to adhere to the process set out in the CMP and reconsider the matter.’’

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All the threats to block FDI-related legislation in Parliament have not been mentioned at all. It is obvious that the CPM is attaching a lot of significance to the proposed UPA-Congress coordination committee. The meeting has been rescheduled on August 4.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi would attend the meeting along with the six nominees of the Left. The rest of the members would vary in accordance with the issue being discussed. Depending on the problem, the minister concerned would be brought on board.

In fact, to underline its priorities, the CPM purposefully began its statement with an angry outburst against the BJP. It was a deliberate ploy to place on record that the CPM considers BJP Enemy No 1. And the party lashed out at BJP for its boycott of the Parliamentary committees. It also spoke of the need to ‘‘counter such (Hindutva-oriented) manoeuvres and safeguard people’s unity’’.

If the party was really critical of the UPA, it was on diesel and petrol prices. In fact, as Prakash Karat, the party’s senior leader and politburo member, made it clear the party was launching an agitation on the issue from tomorrow itself. The Delhi unit of the CPM would take out a rally.