Thursday, March 10 2005 15:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha today (Mar 10, 2005) said that she was puzzled over the Left parties support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, when they were opposing the Centre's economic programmes.

Intervening during the debate on the State Budget in the Assembly, she said the Communist party of India-Marxist (CPM) and Communist Party of India (CPI) were opposed to the economic policies of the Centre, but at the same time supporting it.

"If you don't like the policies, why are you continuing your support? You protest against the policies but continue to support the UPA Government," she told CPM leader J Hemachandran.

Hemachandran accused the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Government of following "globalisation, liberalisation and privatisation" policies.

Jayalalithaa intervened to say that the policies were initiated by the Congress Government at the Centre in 1991.

You are supporting a Government led by that party at the Centre. Why can't you withdraw the support?" she asked.

Hemachandran said that his party's support to UPA was to keep the "communal" Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at bay.

Jayalalithaa alleged that the Left parties wanted to get "every concession" without being in power.

"It is only for the common man," Hemachandran retorted.