Left parties on Wednesday cautioned the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre against following 'old discredited' economic policies.
Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet said that while the Left supported the UPA government, it would not give up on its 'basic agenda'.
CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan asked the Centre to adhere to the Common Minimum Programme on economic reforms.
Observing that differences in ideology and 'class character' of the Congress and the CPI-M were well known, he said the struggle between the approaches of the two parties would continue.
"We shall make independent assessments and decide our course of action," Surjeet told delegates at the 18th party congress meet in New Delhi.
Surjeet said it was only the CPI(M) which could create a viable third alternative but made it clear that such an alternative 'cannot be reduced to the concept of an electoral alliance. It has to be a common policy platform and willingness to conduct joint activities and struggles'.
The Congress, held every three years, is meeting in the backdrop of offers by Surjeet to step down as general secretary amidst indications that the mantle would go to Prakash Karat.
Also read:
'We cannot back govt blindly forever'
Pranab: The master manager
© 2026