Congress must clarify stand on Nuke deal: Raja
Chennai,
Oct
19:
The
Congress
should
clarify
its
stand
on
the
Indo-US
Nuclear
Deal
in
the
UPA-Left
meeting
scheduled
for
October
22,
Communist
Party
of
India
(CPI)
National
Secretary
and
MP
D
Raja
said
today.
Addressing a press conference here, the Left leader said it was time the Congress clarified its position on 123 agreement with the United States.
'' The Left parties are united and will continue its opposition to the Indo-US Nuclear Deal in its present form. We are opposing the deal not eyeing elections, but to protect the sovereignty of the nation,'' he said.
On the UPA government's performance, Mr Raja said the UPA government had totally failed to control the spiralling prices of essential commodities and life saving drugs.
Demanding that the Centre increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Paddy, he alleged that the UPA government had failed to help the farmers, who were debt-ridden.
Mr Raja said the CPI would firmly oppose the FDI and entry of big corporates into retail sector.
''Opening up the retail sector to Corporates will jeopardise the livelihood of lakhs of small retail vendors. The party will oppose the move tooth and nail to safeguard the interests of these small vendors,'' he said.
On the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project (SSCP), he alleged that the BJP was adding religious colour to the whole issue for gaining political mileage.
''The CPI wants the Centre to implement the project on time and ensure economic prosperity of the nation,'' he added.
UNI