Left, UPA allies to protest in Parliament against Bush's visit

New Delhi, Mar 1: The CPI(M) today questioned the government's rationale in inviting US President George Bush to visit India, saying that ''his mere presence was an affront on our Parliament,'' and announced it would stage a demonstration and a sit-in tomorrow morning in front of of Gate No1 of the House.

''Mr Bush is a unwanted guest, and we demand the supension of the Question Hour in Parliament tommorow to reflect the anger of the people of the ountry against his visit,'' CPI(M) Floor leaders in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha Nilotpal Basu and Rupchand Pal said at a press conference in precincts of Parliament.

It is authoratively learnt that the Left parties alongwith the Samajwadi Party will give the notice for suspension of the Question Hour.

Mr Basu and Mr Pal said after the demonstration all the members of the four Left parties - CPI(M), CPI, Forward Bloc and RSP - and other 'like-minded' parties would join the 'Anti-Bush' demonstration, starting from the historic Ram Lila Ground and culminating at Parliament Street.

''However, inside the Houses, the members of the RJD and DMK among others will also participate in the protest,'' they said, recalling the unanimous resolution passed in both the Houses of Parliament against the ''US military misadventure'' against Iraq in 2003 which demanded a withdrawal of the allied forces, and protested against killing over one lakh Iraqis and use of radioactive materials and chemical weapons in violation of international conventions.

The leaders also expressed satisfaction that the authorites had allowed the conduct of the ''huge protest demonstration' after being convinced that the agitation, to culmimate into a big rally, would be totally peaceful.

UNI