CPI (M) General Secretary G. Ramakrishnan on Friday questioned the silence of DMK and AIADMK in Parliament on the scams involving Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and two BJP Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
While other opposition parties have been emphasising on the resignation of the tainted BJP leaders before conduct of debate in Parliament, the DMK and AIADMK have been maintaining silence, Mr. Ramakrishnan told mediapersons at the end of the two-day State Committee meeting to discuss political strategy in Tamil Nadu.
The meeting culminated with a talk to the cadre by National Politburo Member and senior leader Prakash Karat. It was to continue adopting a joint approach in highlighting problems faced by the common man that the Left parties had been holding consultations with leaders of MDMK, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Manitha Neiya Makkal Katchi and other parties.
Whoever comes forward to oppose corruption would be accommodated in the combine, Mr. Ramakrishnan said, adding that all the four Left parties have been together in opposing corruption in the last 20 years. Earlier in the day, Mr. Prakash Karat, Mr. Ramakrishnan and other senior leaders visited the Periyar Memorial in the city.
The CPI (M) was steadfast in upholding the ideal of reformist Periyar to harmonise the society, Mr. Karat said. On Thursday, the CPI (M) adopted a resolution demanding annulment of the agreement signed between Tamil Nadu Government and Adani Group for solar power purchase. The agreement of power envisages purchase of 648 megawatts at the rate of seven rupees per unit, which exceeded the limit set by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. While the CERC has permitted investment of Rs. 6.08 crore for production of one megawatt power, the agreement allows the company to make windfall profit by investing Rs. 7 crore per MW, and fix cost of power at Rs. 7.01 per unit.
The CPI (M) referred to the rejection of Adani Group's application for solar power production in Madhya Pradesh though it was prepared to sell it for Rs. 6 per unit as another entity had come forwarded to sell solar power for Rs. 5 per unit. It implies that Tamil Nadu Government was paying Rs. 2 more per unit to Adani Group. The agreement would pave way for corruption, and hence must be annulled, the resolution said.
