July 1, 2005

Press Statement

Prakash Karat, General Secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist) and D. Raja, Secretary of the National Council  of the Communist Party of India have issued the following statement:

Prakash Karat and D. Raja met the Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, at her request.  The meeting was held to discuss the letter sent by the Left Parties regarding  the disinvestment of shares in the BHEL and the navaratna companies.

On behalf of the Left Parties, both Prakash Karat and D. Raja explained the stand of the Left Parties regarding the violation of the specific provision of the Common Minimum Programme about navaratna companies in the context of the BHEL disinvestment. 

Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, after hearing the Left leaders, suggested that a way should be found to settle the matter as early as possible. The Left leaders responded with the hope that the discussions will help resolve the issue.