Patna: CPI (Communist Party of India) general secretary A B Bardhan today (Oct 19, 2004) said the performance of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government at the Centre was far from satisfactory" in some sectors but ruled out the possibility of withdrawal of his party's support.

"The UPA Government has performed well in some sectors and its performance is not upto the mark in some other sectors which is not in conformity with the CMP (Common Minimum Programme). But such a situation has not come that we will think of withdrawing our support for the fall of the Government," Bardhan told reporters in Patna.

The CPI leader said the Centre's performance was "not satisfactory" in areas like telecommunication, insurance and "we are also opposed to the FDI (Foreign Direct Investment)," adding that the Government has done "exceedingly well" in the field of agriculture.

"We will maintain pressure on the Government against any wrong decisions. We will make comment on its shortcomings and build up pressure for remedy. We will even create awareness among the people and launch an agitation against any wrongdoings," he said.

Sharpening his attack on the Opposition on the demand for removal of the "tainted" ministers, Bardhan asked why didn't the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) people rake up such issue when their alleged tainted leaders like L K Advani, Uma Bharati and Murali Manohar Joshi were in the cabinet.

"Why didn't they (the Opposition) agree to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's contention for an all-party meet to identify such people and evolve a strategy on the issue," he asked.

Referring to BJP's demand for dismissal of Railway Minister Laloo Prasad following the allegation levelled by an approver in the fodder scam case about payment of bribe to him (Laloo) when he was the Chief Minister, Bardhan said, "We cannot rely on such statements. Let the CBI probe this case."