SSCP: Left parties ask Centre to remain firm

Chennai, Jan 30 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (CPI) and CPI(M) today urged the Centre to remain firm in implementing the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project (SSCP), a 150-year-old dream of the people of Tamil Nadu.

In a joint statement here, CPI(M) State Secretary N Varadarajan and CPI State Secretary D Pandian said the Centre appeared to be indecisive on the issue, and it should take a firm stand on the implementation.

They said the Centre withdrawing its counter in the case relating to ''Ram Sethu'' before the Supreme Court, agreeing to consider alternate alignment and seeking four more weeks time in the case, showed its vacillation on the issue.

They said the previous BJP-led NDA Government, which had given its nod for the implementation of the project, is now opposing the project for political gains, and the AIADMK has also joined the ''communal forces'' installing the project.

The Left party leaders noted that Union Minister Ambika Soni attaching religious sentiments to ''Ram Sethu'' amounted to support the communal forces. More than the question of whether Ram Sethu was man made or a natural formation, it was the question of religious sentiments of Hindus, they quoted Ms Soni as having said.

The Tamil Nadu Government, during the on-going Assembly session, should adopt a special resolution, demanding speedy implementation of the project, they added.

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