Left blackmailing UPA govt: NCP

Bangalore, Sep 6: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) General Secretary Akhtar Hassan Rizvi today accused the Left Parties of blackmailing United Progressive Aliance (UPA) government on Indo-US Nuclear agreement and Special Economic Zone Issues.

Talking to newsmen here, he said that though Left parties were supporting the UPA, they are blackmailing Dr Manmohan Singh led government at the behest of China (CPM) and Russia (CPI).

"NCP has no objection on Indo-US Nuclear agreement as long as the country is benefiting. Independence of country's Nuclear Policy will not be sacrificed at any cost", he added.

Taking strong exception to the violence in West Bengal over acquisition of land for Special Economic Zone, Dr Rizvi alleged that the CPI and CPI(M) claim to be leaders of labour and poorer section of the society, but CPI(M) has used force on farmers and poor people for acquiring their land this act was most disgusting.

"NCP is not against developing land for SEZ but employment and fair return should be given to those who lose land", he added.

Replying to a question, he said NCP alliance with the Congress was purely on issue based , be it at the Centre or in Maharashtra.

Welcoming the announcement of Elections to Urban Local Bodies in Karnataka, Dr Razvi said that NCP would contest in the September 28 Election. "NCP would field candidates in all the 208 posts."

UNI