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Concerned that the opposition role to the United Front government
may be monopolised by the right-wing BJP, the CPI(M) has decided to
sharpen its attack against the ruling coalition's 'anti-peoples'
policies in the coming budget session.
The decision to assail certain unpalatable measures of the UF
government more vocally has also been influenced in no small
measure by the BJP's impressive showing in the recent Punjab polls
and in the just concluded by-elections. The CPI(M) feels that with
the Congress(I)'s bargaining position vis-a-vis the UF government
somewhat weakening after a string of electoral losses, a more
confident BJP would try to totally grab the opposition limelight.
"The BJP is gaining because of the decline of the Congress(I). We
have to ensure that they do not capitalise on the weakness in the
secular forces," said a CPI(M) leader.
Thus, the CPI(M will raise the government's decision to open up the
coal sector to private investors and will also press for total
transparency in the Bofors case, besides demanding the passing of
the Agricultural Workers Bill and proposed women's reservation
legislation.
Already, the Marxists have warned the UF Government in no uncertain
terms not to press ahead with the Insurance Regulatory Bill.
The CPI(M) also realises that with the UF government continuing
with the former Congress(I) governments pro-liberalisation policies
and, in some sectors, accelerating the reforms process, it would
have to make a greater effort to distance itself from the
government it supports from outside. This so, because the Marxists
are aware that if they are to stand out from the UF on a number of
policy issues, they will have to play a far more active opposition
role.
And if anyone in the CPI(M) has reservations about confronting the
UF government, both inside and outside Parliament, recent steps
taken by various Union ministries would have helped him put them
aside.
Last Tuesday's move to open up the coal sector to the private
sector (and foreign investors) has raised the latest howl of
protest from the CPI(M).
In a strongly worded statement, the party politburo "condemned the
decision to open up coal mining to the private sector and
deregulate pricing and distribution of D-grade non-coking coal,
hard coke and soft coke from immediate effect."
The party said it would strongly oppose the government's move to
amend the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act of 1973, which it sees
as a preliminary step to privatise the entire coal industry.
The CPI(M)'s ire over the coal issue is not surprising as the party
has become quite disillusioned with the Deve Gowda government's
economic agenda. The nation's largest Left party feels that there
is not too much that it and other Leftist parties can do to stagger
the pro-reforms thrust.
Whether it is the rise in sugar price under the PDS, or the
decision to allow non-aviation foreign companies up to 40 per cent
equity in airlines, or the opening up of many new sectors including
core sectors to FDI up to 74 per cent, CPI(M) sources admit that
'they cannot dictate' to a government dominated by
pro-liberalisors.
The CPI(M)'s decision to bare its teeth more against 'anti-people'
policies of the government also shows that it does not want to fall
into the 'predicament' the CPI is in. Political observers as well
as several CPI(M) leaders are of the view that being part of the
government and yet criticising many of its polices has not enhanced
the credibility of the CPI.
The Marxists feel that with UF government not taking any concrete
measures to improve the lot of the poorer sections and the BJP
trying to dominate national opposition politics, it will have to
take on the government with far more gusto than it has till now in
order to keep its reputation intact.
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