CPM against strategic alliance with US: Karat
Madurai,
Sep
21:
The
CPI(M)
will
strongly
oppose
any
move
by
the
Centre
to
enter
into
a
strategic
alliance
with
the
United
States,
party
General
Secretary
Prakash
Karat
said.
Addressing a public meeting after unveiling a life-size bronze statue of late freedom fighter and communist stalwart P Ramamoorthy, here last night, Mr Karat said the CPM had made its point clear to the UPA Government. ''CPI(M) will not allow American imperialism and it is for them (the Congress) to decide whether to fulfil the commitment made to the people in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) or to enter into a nuclear deal with the US.
He said the party proposed a nationwide campaign to explain its stand on the nuclear deal. ''We are going to the people with a confidence that the issue would get people's support,'' he said.
''The party will continue to support the UPA Government, till they do not enter into a strategic alliance with the US.'' Stating that the third meeting of the UPA-Left Committee would be held on October five, he said the party was ready to discuss the issue as many times at the meetings provided they (UPA Government) do not operationalise it.
Mr Karat said the party was not against nuclear energy. ''But, it must be self-reliant and should not depend on a foreign nation. We should not import nuclear equipment or fuel, instead we should develop the technology on our own.'' ''Nuclear energy contributes only three per cent of the country's total requirement. If the nuclear deal with the US becomes operational, a total of 20,000 MW could be produced by 2020. It will be just seven per cent of the total requirement.'' ''Under the deal, multinationals could easily enter into India and invest in atomic energy sector,'' he cautioned.
Bashing the BJP for instigating communal tensions on the Ram Sethu issue, he alleged that the BJP was not bothered about common man's problems.
''The
BJP
is
trying
to
gain
political
mileage
on
the
issue.
They
do
not
bother
about
the
Indo-US
nuclear
deal.
Former
Prime
Minister
A
B
Vajpayee
had
openly
stated
that
the
US
was
country's
natural
ally,''
he
added.
UNI