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Economic reforms to continue : Damage control by Congress |
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The Congress says that giving up the disinvestment of Neyveli Lignite Corporation and National Aluminium Company does not mean that economic reforms have been put on hold. The party says that the aim is to ensure that all constituents of the United Progressive Alliance supported economic liberalisation. Party spokesman Satyabrat Chaturvedi said in New Delhi on July 10 that the party knows that the process of liberalisation would not be easy and there could be hurdles. He described as “laughable” and “irresponsible” a report purportedly providing verbatim dialogue between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Chaturvedi said Sonia Gandhi gave the utmost respect to Dr. Singh, which he reciprocated. He said the division of work between them was clear, with . Gandhi taking care of party and political affairs and Dr. Singh the Government and administration. “They are in constant communication and consult each other. This happens in a democracy,” he said.
He said the differences between the previous Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his deputy L.K. Advani were well known. On disinvestment, there were open differences within the BJP and with its ally the Samata Party during the National Democratic Alliance regime.
Left parties to keep up pressure on UPA Government
The Left parties are reported to be seeking an immediate response from the Manmohan Singh government to their alternative proposals on resource mobilisation for implementing people-oriented schemes. CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat said that the Left had suggested several measures to mop up resources, but to no avail. The Left parties also want a discussion on the overall orientation of the government, from economics to what they call a pro-US foreign policy. The UPA-Left coordination committee is expected to meet on July 22, two days before the start of the Monsoon session of Parliament. The disinvestment issue is expected to be discussed at the meeting. The fallout of the Mumbai blasts may also be taken up.
In view of the blasts, the Left parties have cancelled the first part of the anti-price rise week from July 13 to 16. The programme will now be held from July 17 to 19.
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