CPI (M) accuses DMK of wavering on major issues

Accusing the DMK of wavering on its position on all major issues such as the nuclear deal, trade union rights and State autonomy, the CPI (M) on Thursday said that the Dravidian party, once a champion of State autonomy, had been reduced to the level of pleading with the Centre through petitions.

“The Congress-led UPA government is taking away the rights of the State government and the DMK is pleading with petitions,” CPI (M) State secretary G. Ramakrishnan said, reacting to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's remarks that the Communist parties had no policy other than changing their stand frequently.

“The Communists have never compromised their stand on issues such as anti-imperialism, secularism, rights of the State governments and protection of the poor in urban and rural areas,” he said.

Though the DMK had expressed concern over the hike in the price of petroleum products, the fact remained that it was also a party to the Cabinet decision.

“The price of agriculture inputs has gone beyond the reach of farmers. But, the DMK extended its support to hike the price of fertilizers.” He said that the DMK was wavering because it had embraced the liberalisation policy. On another remark made by the Chief Minister, that the CPI (M) was trying to suppress the achievements of the DMK government, Mr. Ramakrishnan quipped, “No one can suppress achievements such as power cut, spiralling of prices of essential commodities, deterioration of law and order and denial of trade union rights in multi-national companies.”

He said though the DMK was claiming that it was the champion of social justice, the suspension of IAS officer C. Umashankar and the wall to prevent the entry of Dalits in Uthapuram “tell a different story.”