Gita Gopinath. File photoThiruvananthapuram: The CPI, the second biggest ally of the ruling LDF, has found one more reason to lock horns with the CPM. The latest bone of contention between the two Communist parties is the comments made by chief minister's economic advisor Gita Gopinath.
"If the advice given during an informal talk of CM's economic advisor Gita Gopinath with some media outlets could influence the economic policies of the Kerala government, it is worrisome," said the CPI mouthpiece on Tuesday.
"Though she deserves applause for showing interest in the state's economic growth and development and attracting foreign investment, it is expected that Gita Gopinath's stand on austerity measures and other economic reforms will be accepted by the chief minister and the Left front with a pinch of salt," the CPI said in an editorial in Janayugam.
"With Kerala facing acute financial crisis, Gita Gopinath's view that spending has to be curtailed is something that can't be rejected on its face value. However, while she is talking about austerity measures, she is also indirectly mentioning about the government's 'burden' of salaries, pensions, subsidies, welfare schemes etc," it said.
However, the chief minister and the Left front should tread cautiously on her advice on economic reforms, including cost-cutting measures, it said.
Though there won't be two opinions on reducing unnecessary expenditure and lavishness at the government level, the CPI mouthpiece cautions that the proposed cost-cutting measures should not be on the lines of Greece and Spain.
The CPI mouthpiece pointed out that cost cutting was the hallmark of economic reforms of the western capitalist world. And, the aftereffects of such measures are suffered by workers, farmers and the jobless. In the neoliberal age, the view that salaries of government staff, pensions of retirees and welfare schemes are additional expenditures that need to be curtailed and stopped is gaining currency. But those views do not take into account the impact of such measures.
Without considering facts like price rise, healthcare, rising education costs etc such negative statements are akin to creating a rift between two groups of people, it said.
The editorial adds that without finding ways to curb rising day-to-day expenses, talks about reforms are unrealistic.
Earlier, the two parties had locked horns over various issues, including Munnar land grab row and encroachment allegations against former minister Thomas Chandy.
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