The Hindu : Lok Sabha dissolution decision improper: CPI(M)

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Thursday, Jan 29, 2004

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Lok Sabha dissolution decision improper: CPI(M)

By Our Staff Reporter

The West Bengal Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, at the CPI (M) politburo meeting in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Others (from left) are: the party general secretary, Harkishan Singh Surjeet, the former West Bengal Chief Minister, Jyoti Basu and the politburo member, V.S. Achutanandan. — Photo: P.V. Sivakumar

HYDERABAD, JAN. 28. The CPI(M) politburo today took exception to the "manner" in which the National Democratic Alliance Government decided to recommend dissolution of the Lok Sabha. This "constitutes a grave constitutional impropriety," it said.

In a statement, the party argued that it was improper to recommend dissolution of the Lok Sabha on February 6 when the House was scheduled to meet on January 29. The "prerogative of the Prime Minister" to recommend dissolution and go in for fresh elections could be exercised during the course of the session.

The politburo wanted to know why the Government was dissolving the House when it championed the cause of fixed tenure for Parliament. It criticised the decision to bypass the regular budgetary process and declare sops worth Rs. 12,000 crores.

Terming these as constitutionally and morally improper, the party said the people would have to bear the economic burden of these sops.

The 17-member politburo, which will meet again tomorrow, is working on a State-wise report on the political condition and the electoral possibilities. Preparations for the proposed industrial strike on "right to strike" and other organisational issues would be discussed.

The central committee meeting, which will begin after the politburo session tomorrow, would conclude on Friday with a statement on the political situation.

Speaking to The Hindu , the politburo member, Prakash Karat, said the impending elections to the Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Karnataka Assemblies would be discussed.

On an electoral alliance with the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), he said the CPI(M) continued to oppose the demand for a separate State of Telangana but would work with the TRS to minimise the division of anti-TDP-BJP votes.

Mr. Karat said Karnataka also seemed to be moving towards Assembly elections.

The CPI(M) would form an alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular), led by the former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda.

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