Left Parties Statement

Date: 
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
May 23, 2012
Press Release
 
The Left parties held a meeting on May 23, 2012.  They have issued the following statement:
 
Against Increase in Petroleum Prices
 
The Left parties strongly oppose the proposed increase in the prices of petrol, diesel and other petroleum products being contemplated. 
 
Such an increase will be  a cruel blow on the people who are already suffering from severe price rise.
 
The Left parties called upon all their party units to immediately organise protest actions when such price hikes are announced.
 
Campaign on Food Security
 
The Left parties discussed and finalized the campaign to be organised on the Food Security Bill and the movements to be launched for ensuring a universal Public Distribution System.  The proposed Food Security Bill does not serve the purpose of  ensuring food security for all citizens.  The Left parties will conduct a month long campaign from the grassroot level in all the states in July.  This will be followed by a continuous dharna during the monsoon session of Parliament from July 30 to August 3, 2012 in New Delhi in which thousands of people will participate.  This dharna will see the participation of the national leaders of the Left parties.
 
Presidential Election
 
The Left parties reiterated their stand that there should be a candidate for the Presidential election based on the widest possible acceptance.
 

Those who attended the meeting were the General Secretaries of the four Left parties -- Prakash Karat, Sudhakar Reddy, Debabrata Biswas and T J Chandrachoodan, besides, A.B. Bardhan, Sitaram Yechury, S. Ramachandran Pillai, D Raja, Abani Roy and G. Devarajan.