Kolkata: Senior CPM (Communist Party of India- Marxist) leader Jyoti Basu today (Sep 24, 2004) attacked Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia on the issue of inclusion of foreign experts in Planning Commission consultative Group terming him a "World Bank" man.

Speaking to reporters just before a crucial meeting of the CPM in Kolkata Basu said, "He (Montek) is all wrong. He belongs to World Bank. He is a World Bank man."

Basu, who had a luncheon meeting with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA (United Progressive Alliance) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Sept 18, 2004 also said that the matter would be taken up at the Left Front UPA Coordination committee meeting once the Prime Minister returns from New York. The Veteran Marxist leader, however, made it very clear that the Left parties would not accept foreign experts in the Planning Commission, "We do not want them (foreign experts) in the Planning Commission. We have enough economists in the country. What will they (foreign experts) do in the Planning Commission?" he said adding that advice can be taken from foreign experts on economic matters.