'Left wants UPA government to finish full term'

After days of consultations with the UPA leaders, the Left has succeeded in wresting its demand for the setting up of the UPA-Left coordination committee. The first meeting of the committee took place on Wednesday. CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan, who is a member of the committee, has asserted that the Left will not bring down the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, despite the serious ideological differences with the Congress. In an exclusive interview, Mr Bardhan told Venkat Parsa that a mechanism has been evolved for the smooth functioning of the government and there was no threat to its stability. Excerpts from the interview:

Q: Why was this sudden decision on setting up the UPA-Left coordination committee?

A: If the government is to run smoothly, there has to be a mechanism of consultation between those running the government and those supporting it. It is the Left, which has been taking the initiative, for evolving such a mechanism. In fact, after days of consultations, we succeeded in putting in place such a mechanism. A government has to make several decisions, on a day-to-day basis. Clearly, we do not interfere in that, at all. But, on major policy decisions, it is wiser to have a pre-decision consultation. Where such a consultation is not possible, at least, we expect a post-decision information. This is a better arrangement than being left with no other course open to us but to comment, after everything is done.

Q: What if, the government holds on its own, despite such consultations, and does not yield? Will you consider the option of withdrawing support to it?

A: We believe that regular meetings of will help resolve the differences between us. All this effort is being mounted only because the Left wants this government to run its full course of five years. Those who are speculating on its fall will only meet with disappointment and frustration. At any rate, nothing prevents the Left, or the mass organisations, from voicing their differences, both inside and outside Parliament. We shall not hesitate to lead mass agitations whenever necessary, in order to bring to bear people’s pressure on the government.

Q: There has been a raging controversy over the government proposal to raise the FDI cap in sectors like civil aviation, insurance and telecom. How do you view it?

A: Let me clarify at the outset that the Left is not opposed to FDI entry in general. Let the FDI come in sectors that serve national interests. What we are opposed to is raising the cap in sectors like telecom and insurance. This will be against national interest. Let me explain it this way. Insurance is one major source of domestic savings. If a multinational company defaults, millions of policy-holder would be duped. In a sensitive sector like telecom, let me tell you that no country will allow foreign control over the vehicle of communications. No other country allows the telecom system to go into foreign hands, which, it will, if the cap is allowed to be raised to 74 per cent.

Q: On the question of petrol price hike, the government has not adequately responded to your demand for a rollback. What is your stand on the issue? Don’t you think that it would add to inflationary pressure?

A: An increase in the prices of petrol from Rs 34 a litre to Rs 36 a litre is unlikely to push inflation up dramatically. International crude prices had fallen recently. That reduces the pressure on our imports of crude oil. However, we proposed that excise duties on crude oil import should be brought down to zero level and then there would be no need for a price hike.

Q: This past week saw inflation rate soar to a three-and-a-year high of 7.5 per cent. Is it not a cause for concern?

A: Any rise in the rate of inflation is a cause for concern. But I am sure the government is seized of the matter and would be initiating steps to bring the situation under control. Let me tell you there are several factors that contribute to.

Q: Is it because you are supporting the government that you are soft on it?

A: Even if it was the BJP government, I would not have said anything. Because I know economics. Let me put it the other way for you. During the BJP regime, when inflation soared from four per cent to 6.5 per cent, then there was nothing wrong. If inflation has now shot up from 6.5 per cent to 7.5 per cent, that is something terrible?

Q: Manipur has literally been on fire. But the UPA government has been resisting demands for the scrapping of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act?

A: Situation in Manipur is grim. It is a people’s outburst. It is not the result of something wit the insurgent groups behind it. The depth of people’s anger at the brutal action of the Assam Rifles can be gauged from the fact that a number of middle-aged women stripped and demonstrated. Yes. It is being argued that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act is needed to counter-insurgency. But that does not entitle the Army to attack human rights and human dignity with impunity. The horrendous act of killing a woman, and that, too, within hours of arresting her, is one of such acts. I do believe that everything should be done to defuse the situation and respond to popular sentiment