Left to join hand with allies to defeat UPA

"We are not averse to the like-minded parties, who share our concerns on the Indo-US nuclear deal, for a floor strategy to defeat the government," said Prakash Karat, CPI(M) general secretary, after, he, along with leaders of three other left parties - CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc - handed over formal letter to the President Pratibha Patil on withdrawal of support to the government.

 

Karat blamed the Manmohan government for deviating from its "aam admi" policies and flouting the common minimum programme, it had signed with the Left allies four years ago. He said the "signing of a strategic deal with the US was not part of the CMP," he said.

Explaining Left's stand on the Indo-US nuclear deal, Karat said the deal would not provide energy security to India as it was anchored in a US law-the Hyde Act. Besides, it would restrict India from pursuing an independent foreign policy and undermine India's strategic authority.

He announced that the Left would prepare a booklet listing all the communication that it had with the government in the issue of Indo-US civil nuclear deal. "This is to set our record straight," he said.

Another reason for withdrawing support, he said, was the government indifference to the Left parties suggestions on economic policies.

The Manmohan Singh government had refused to go in for universalisation of the public distribution system or ban forward trading in essential commodities. Also it did not respond to the Left's suggestions of imposing a windfall tax on the private refineries.