CPM seeks PM's intervention to solve T tangle

Communist Party Of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat on Wednesday sought the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s intervention to resolve the Telangana statehood issue.

Talking to media persons, he said that the government should resolve the statehood issue based on Justice Srikrishna committee report. “The government should not drag the issue further and test the patience of Telangana people,” he pointed out.

Stating that CPI (M) would contest the elections in five states, he said that the party would have an alliance with smaller parties in respective states. He said that CPM would contest 18 Assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, 9 segments in Punjab, 6 in Uttarakhand and two in Manipur. He said the CPM would launch nation-wide agitation against permitting FDI in retail sector.

Responding to Lokpal bill, he said the institution of Lokpal should be freed from government and the Supreme Court should have power to remove the members in Lokpal. “The Lokpal should conduct investigation independently without interference from the government,” he stated.