The Hindu : Yechury for 'dual strategy' on terrorism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2003

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Yechury for 'dual strategy' on terrorism

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD JAN. 6 . The Communist Party of India (Marxist) wants the Central Government to adopt a dual strategy of holding talks with the Jammu and Kashmir Government and containing cross-border terrorism.

Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) politburo member, addressing a press conference here on Monday, found fault with the Government for not initiating a political process with the elected Government in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly on autonomy. "By not doing so the Government is doing a disservice to the country.'' He was reacting to the statement of the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, here on Sunday regarding steps being taken to tackle terrorism.

"Blaming Pakistan for terrorism won't help. A lasting solution has to be found,'' he said. Asked with whom the Centre should talk, he said with whoever the State Government suggested.

Mr. Yechury criticised the Centre for "not doing anything" on the representation of the Tripura Government submitted a month ago regarding terrorist camps across the Bangladesh border. He wanted the Centre to initiate talks with the Bangladesh Government on the issue. He referred to the coming Assembly elections in the State and the alleged threats to some parties by terrorists.

Referring to the country's economy and Mr. Advani's statement at the CII partnership summit here, he charged the Government with making a "faulty diagnosis of the situation.'' Both Mr. Advani and the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, had called for more investment.

Mr. Yechury saw no use in investment when people lacked the purchasing power. "Mr. Advani and Mr. Babu want more investment, but people lack purchasing power. Whatever power they have is being undermined by the Government. Only economic empowerment of the people can improve the status of the economy.''

He criticised the Kelkar Committee recommendations and said if these were implemented the purchasing power of the people and the middle classes would be further reduced. He suggested massive public investments in the basic economic and social wefare sectors. This would generate jobs, employment opportunities and thus increase the people's purchasing power.

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