Tuesday, March 29 2005 20:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chandigarh: Launching a sharp attack on the Patent Bill passed by Parliament, the CPI (Communist Party of India) today (March 29, 2005) asked the Manmohan Singh Government to mend its economic policies or be prepared to face the worst saying its support to the ruling coalition at the Centre was not for years.

"We have not made any promise or commitment to support the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) for years. Our support to them is keeping in view the present conditions (facing the country). This is a phase (the support) but it is not a permanent one," CPI (Communist Party of India) general secretary A B Bardhan told a rally in Chandigarh a day before the start of the five-day 19th Congress of the party.

"The CPI was not born for the purpose that they (UPA) will rule for years and we will continue to give our support," he said.

"We never said that our support to you is guaranteed forever. A time may come when we will have to bid goodbye to you, Bardhan said.

He said people were looking for an alternative and the party would highlight their problems.

Talking to reporters before addressing the rally, Bardhan said Congress' economic policies are the same that of the previous NDA Government and "This is the basis of contradiction and conflict that is there between them and us."

The CPI leader attacked the Patent Bill alleging, "This law has not plugged any loophole to check rise in the prices, particularly of the life saving drugs and other pharmaceuticals".

He charged foreign drug manufacturers had been given relaxation and it would lead to increase in price rise much beyond the common man's reach.