CPI(M) welcomes raising of corruption, inequality issues by AAP

NEW DELHI: Welcoming raising issues of corruption and inequality by Aam Aadmi Party, CPI(M) today said AAP needs to bring more clarity on its understanding of the 'neo-liberal' economic policies which were "responsible" for such a situation.

Replying to questions on AAP, senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury also said it was up to Arvind Kejriwal's party to decide whether it would join the Left and other secular forces, but it could be decided only after the elections.

"It is good that they are taking up these issues.... but corruption has to be nipped at its genesis. The neo-liberal policies have expanded the scope of crony capitalism and corruption. We have to target these policies... and there, the clarity needs to come in (from AAP)," he told reporters when his reaction was sought on AAP raising issues which have been consistently raised by the Left in the past.

He also said AAP needed to clarify its understanding on communalism and expressed the hope that "clarity on both these issues will come up further during the campaign".

Yechury, who released two campaign booklets titled 'The Two India Reality: Obscene Wealth, Grinding Poverty' and 'To Build a Corruption Free India', said the fight against corruption does not end at setting up of an independent Lokpal.

"While strict laws are needed to fight graft, the struggle to reverse the policies which have allowed corporates a free run to loot the resources of our country must be strengthened," he said.

Asked whether CPI(M) would join a government of the Left and regional parties if such a combination came to power, Yechury said a decision would be taken by the party's Central Committee after the elections.

Maintaining that both BJP and Congress were "committed to strengthening the neo-liberal framework of policies", he said the economic inequalities have led to "two Indias -- shining India and suffering India".