Sunday, June 26 2005 20:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Topping a series of differences with the Manmohan Singh Government, the Left parties today (Jun 26, 2005) gave it a jolt deciding to "suspend" its participation in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Left Coordination Committee, accusing it of the "first serious violation" of the Common Minimum Programme by the decision to disinvest in Bharath Heavy Electrical Ltd (BHEL).

The Left parties, which provide crucial outside support of 61 Lok Sabha Members, today met and discussed the Government decision on disinvestment of shares in the Navaratna companies and drafted a letter, which was sent to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who is away in Himachal Pradesh.

The meeting also decided to go ahead with the June 28 nation wide agitation against the recent hike in prices of petrol and diesel.

Unfazed by the Left decision, Congress expressed confidence that a "way out" would be found to address their concerns on disinvestment saying the common goal of UPA was fighting communal forces.

The letter of Left parties referred to repeat assertions by the Government that it will retain 51 per cent share in Public Sector Enterprises, which it said meant that it intended to sell off 49 per cent shares.