Left parties on Tuesday asked the government to correct the "negative" aspects of its economic policy and prioritise the implementation of those aspects of the Common Minimum Programme, which would serve the needs of the poor.
"There are some positive things and there are negative things (in the UPA government's two-year rule). The negative things have to be corrected ... that is the approach we are taking," CPI (M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury said after an over three-hour long meeting of the Left-UPA Coordination Committee, which remained inconclusive.
At the meeting, the Left party leaders sought clarifications from several Union ministers, including Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Railway Minister Laloo Prasad and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who made presentations on the achievements of their ministries in the past two years.
CPI leader D Raja and RSP's Abani Roy said clarifications were sought on some issues but refused to elaborate.
Asked about problems in the agriculture sector, Yechury said issues like farmers suicide and wheat imports came up for discussion.
On an impending hike in petro-product prices, the CPI (M) leader said Left parties had already suggested several alternative steps to meet the challenge without imposing the entire burden on the people.
"There are alternatives available and the government must explore them before burdening the common man," including cuts in customs and import duties.
To a question on Monday's stock market crash, Yechury said, "Obviously, something is wrong somewhere and that is what is being explored."
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