Freeze N-Deal considering opposition: Raghavulu

Vijayawada, Oct 14 (UNI) The Left parties were opposed to the Indo-US Nuclear Deal and would not hesitate to take the crucial decision of withdrawing support to the UPA government if it went ahead with operationalising the deal, CPI (M) Andhra Pradesh unit secretary B Raghavulu said here today.

Addressing a meeting on 'Nuclear agreement with the US: Adverse impact on our country', organised by 'People For India Organisation,' Mr Raghavulu, a politburo member said ''the Centre should not go ahead with the deal, given the widespread opposition to it. Majority of people and parties do not endorse the deal.'' The Centre should not go to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for India-specific safeguards agreement, till all the apprehensions about the deal were cleared.

''The government should consult the UPA allies on the implications of the Hyde Act on India's foreign policy. If the government signed the deal, the country will have to pay a heavy price. The 123 Agreement cannot be separated from the Hyde Act, '' the Marxist leader said.

He said India could utilise the rich deposits of thorium for power generations and avoid depending on import of nuclear fuel for meeting the energy needs.

UNI