CPI(M) stir against US President's visit

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) will launch a country-wide campaign to coincide with the visit of United States President George Bush in March to protest against the "Imperialistic" policies of the US, Party National General Secretary Prakash Karat announced on Thursday.

"We will observe January 24 as anti-imperialism day and the campaign will culminate in a big protest meeting at New Delhi and other parts of the country during Mr Bush's visit," he told a press conference in Hyderabad.

He condemned the alleged US policies of "aggression, violation of national sovereignty of many countries and continued occupation of Iraq." Before the budget preparation, the Left parties would submit a note to the United Progressive Alliance-left Coordination Committee next week to tax the affluent sections, to raise funds for implementation of the ambitious National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme and also step up investments in social sectors like health and education as committed in the Common Minimum Programme, he said.

"We are happy that the country's economy is growing, but this is benefiting some sections much more than others. We need to tax them", he added.

Earlier, attending the first extended meeting of the CPI(M) political education committee, Mr Karat educated the party leaders from various states on the role of marxists in fighting against liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation policies pursued by the Union and State Governments.