Chandigarh, Sept 30: The CPI, an ally of the Congress in Punjab, has convened an all party meeting here tomorrow on the issue of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy even as chief minister Amarinder Singh has announced such a meeting for October two. "The meeting convened by the CPI would be attended by representatives of Akali Dal (Badal), the Congress, CPI(M), NCP, Samta Party, BJP, Sarv Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD), and Lok Bhalai Party," Punjab CPI secretary Dr Joginder Dayal told a press conference here today. Alleging that both the Centre and Punjab government are "mute spectators" to the plight of farmers, Dayal deplored chief minitser Amarinder Singh's act of staging a demonstration before the residence of Prime Minister.

"The Congress in Punjab has already withdrawn it's 'Rail Roko' campaign after the Centre announced the MSP for paddy. This means that the congress is in agreement with the MSP for paddy," he alleged.
He said the CPI has not invited any Kisan Organisation to attend the meeting as "most of such bodies are aligned politically with one or the other party."
On being asked whether the CPI would attend the all party meeting convened by Amarinder on paddy issue for October two, Dayal said that "any decision on this would only be taken after consultation with other state leadership. Bureau Report