Antony rules out truck with BJP and CPI(M)

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, AUG. 11. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. A.K. Antony, has said the UDF will have no truck, covert or overt, with the BJP and the CPI(M) at all.

Addressing a meet-the-press programme organised by the Press Club here today, Mr. Antony said the UDF is prepared to cooperate with individuals and groups, with secular and democratic credentials, who desire to see the end of the Marxist rule and reduce its strength in the State. The details of this strategy would be finalised at a UDF meeting on August 14.

He alleged that the CPI(M)-led LDF rule had wrecked the Kerala economy and pushed into a debt trap. The UDF laid office in 1996 with a surplus of Rs 481 crores. But within four years, the public debt went up to Rs 2,00,000 crores. Funds raised for development activities were being diverted for meeting the day to day expenditure while the unofficial treasury curbs were stifling development activities, he said.

The farm sector was facing a grave crisis. The announcement that the Government would procure coconut at a rate of Rs 4.50 a nut remained in paper days after the declaration. Rubber, coffee, areca and other crops were also facing crisis, Mr. Antony said and feared that farmers would be driven to commit suicide if the situation continued like this. It was unfortunate that the Government was not prepared to announce a moratorium on revenue recovery proceedings against farmers, besides rescheduling farm loans given by the cooperatives. The industrial sector was stagnant and unemployment become more acute.

He alleged that the CPI(M) had emerged as the biggest capitalist, on a par with huge industrial houses like the Tatas, Birlas and the Goenkas. Instead of finding a solution to the misery of the people, who were facing a financial crisis, the CPI(M) was amassing wealth and assets through "scientific corruption". Its "Tughlak reforms" in the education sector had wrecked the future of an entire generation, he added.

He said the Marxists had established a nexus with abkaris and contractors. Misuse of power, money and muscle power were the salient features of the LDF rule. The Government's functioning was totally undemocratic even as it persistently refused to hold dialogues with Opposition parties. All decisions were being taken at the AKG Centre.

He expressed grave concern at the Eleventh Finance Commission recommendations which had turned out to be adverse to Kerala. The State stood to lose Rs 4,000 crores on account of the EFC recommendations. It would be penalised for its achievements in the social sectors. "Unfortunately, no effective step is being taken to rectify this. Only fax messages and letters are forthcoming. Even West Bengal, which is ruled by the CPI(M)-led Left Front, got Rs 10,00 crores to cover its revenue deficit, but Kerala got nothing. Efforts should be taken for a joint action along with other southern States. The Opposition would cooperate with the Government's efforts on this," he said.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Nehru Trophy Boat Race today
Next     : HC seeks details on Plus Two schools