Mumbai: The CPI (Communist Party of India) today (June 26, 2004) declared that it would launch an agitation against the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) if there is a departure from the Common Minimum Programme (CMP).

"CPI is supporting UPA from outside and the party's responsibility is to assure implementation of CMP by the UPA Government," CPI general secretary A B Bardhan told reporters in Mumbai.

He said: "If there is a departure from CMP then the CPI would launch an agitation against the UPA."

When asked about the protest launched by the Opposition on the induction of tainted Ministers, Bardhan said: "As a party we are not happy about tainted ministers in the UPA Government but does not justify NDA (National Democratic Alliance) to raise the issue as they also had such Ministers in their Cabinet."

"The Home Minister in the erstwhile NDA Government had been charged for offences by an investigating agency that came under the same ministry," the CPI leader added.

Bardhan said the issue of Sonia Gandhi wresting control of the Union Government was "absurd" as she was the president of Congress and it was the leading party in the UPA Government.

Being the chief of the leading party in the Government, Gandhi is going to have a larger say in the running of the Government, he said.

The statements of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) are guided by the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), Bardhan added.

Bardhan further accused NDA of appointing persons close to them in all the apex bodies during its tenure.

"We are not revengeful, but would press for weeding out these persons from decision making positions," he said.

On the budget to be presented by the newly appointed UPA Government, he said it should be optimistic and oriented towards the farmers and common persons.

The Government should give priority to education and health sector. Also, the PSUs should be revived before taking any decision on their liquidation, the CPI general secretary said.