The Hindu : Surjeet rules out probe into Cola row

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 08, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Surjeet rules out probe into Cola row

By Our Special Correspondent

KOCHI FEB. 7. The CPI(M) all-India general secretary, Harkishen Singh Surjeet, has said that there will not be any inquiry into the Coca Cola issue and that there is no confusion among the cadres or in the State leadership regarding the ongoing controversy.

However, the party will consider under what circumstances the company was started at Palakkad during the tenure of the previous LDF Government headed by E.K. Nayanar, Mr. Surjeet, who is here in connection with the inauguration of a hospital in memory of A.P. Varkey, said in an informal chat with reporters at the Lenin Centre here today.

He said the party was not against multinational companies coming with investment to the country.

He brushed aside the controversy regarding the Coca Cola company, adding that he did not feel there was schism in the top rung of the party on the issue.

Mr. Surjeet said that it was not possible for the party to review all the decisions and activities undertaken by the previous Government.

The Politburo member, S. Ramachandran Pillai, had already clarified the party's stand on the Coca Cola issue and there was nothing more to add.

No amount of controversy could succeed in creating any fissures in the party, he said. "The party is not against MNCs coming to Kerala or starting industries. Exercises like the Global Investor Meet are, per se, not to be opposed.

There is no opposition from the CPI(M) on foreign capital taking an interest in development projects here. Kerala should not miss the bus and should change according to the times," he said.

Mr. Surjeet did not subscribe to the theory that Kerala should stand unchanged in the face of globalisation. If foreign investment could help the development of a State without exploiting its resources or people, it should be welcomed, he added.

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