Talking to reporters in Kolkata following a four-day politburo and central committee meeting, Karat said the Trinamool Congress is pursuing an “obstructionist” approach, which is opposed to Congress’s development agenda and its will to tackle Maoist problems.

“The Congress has to decide how far they are going to go along with the Trinamool Congress,” Karat said when asked if the proposed Haripur Nuclear power plant would come up in East Midnapore.

Asked if the revival of ties with his party’s former ally Congress is possible, the CPM general secretary said, “I cannot say it now, but we will discuss later.” He added that in August, the central committee will meet to discuss this political issue in detail.

Karat said the Trinamool is not only spearheading violence but also was shielding and maintaining dubious links with the Maoists. On development issues, the Trinamool is not allowing the Congress plans to materialise.

The CPM leader said his party will take a fresh look on the current political situation in its central committee meeting in August this year, ahead of Assembly polls in the two Left-ruled states of Kerala and West Bengal.

Party sources said in the meeting, the party will review the tactical line initiated by Prakash Karat resulting in withdrawal of support to the earlier Congress government.

“We cannot afford to wait for another two years to take stock of the political situation of the country. In the August meeting, we will take a stance,” said Karat.

Meanwhile, the party hasdecided to hit the streets over the price rise issue. Karat said the Centre was not serious in addressing the problem and was trying to put the blame on state governments. “There has been 18 per cent food inflation, which is the highest in the world. India ranks among the top three countries in food inflation. The Centre has not taken any measure.”

The Centre, which had failed to take measures to build up buffer stocks of food grains, had their allocation to states by 15 per cent, leading to a crisis, he claimed.

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