Time for third front: Left to UNPA allies

The Left parties have asked the United National Progressive Alliance to work with them on a “third alternative” and launch a “joint struggle...

The Left parties have asked the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) to work with them on a “third alternative” and launch a “joint struggle” against the UPA Government. They have also claimed that there are no differences with the UNPA over key issues.

“It is my appeal to the UNPA leaders that the time has come for us to work towards the formation of a third alternative,” said CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, addressing a farmers rally organised here by the UNPA on Tuesday.

He said that all pro-people and secular parties should work closely to formulate a “common alternative programme” for the people. “We must continue our struggle for the farmers’ cause and simultaneously work for alternative policies,” said Karat, adding that the UPA Government has failed to solve the agrarian crisis.

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CPI general secretary A B Bardhan reminded the UNPA leaders that Left parties found no “difference” over the issues raised by the UNPA. He added that the UNPA and the Left parties must struggle jointly against the alleged pro-US tilt of the UPA Government’s foreign policy.

Addressing the rally alongside the UNPA leaders, the Left leaders criticised the Government for its economic policies.

They alleged that the Government’s policies were benefiting only the big industrialists, who, in turn, were influencing the economic and foreign policies of the country. Bardhan also criticised the visit of US Defence Secretary Robert Gates. “The US Defence Secretary is visiting our country for signing agreements on military cooperation. After these agreements, we will be forced to feed the imperialist forces of the US who have occupied territories in our neighbourhood,” he said.

The Left leaders demanded remunerative prices, credit at 4 per cent and debt waiver for farmers. They also demanded implementation of the recommendations of the National Commission of Farmers, headed by noted scientist M S Swaminathan.

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Similar demands for farmers were made by the UNPA leaders, who marched to Parliament to press for their demands after the rally.

The rally was addressed by Samajwadi Party chief and UNPA chairman Mulayam Singh Yadav, TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu, INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala, Asom Gana Parishad’s Brindavan Goswami and Jharkhand Vikas Party chief Babulal Marandi.