Bardhan accuses US of blackmailing India

Thrissur, Mar 1 (UNI) CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan today accused the US of trying to ''blackmail'' India in the name of the civilian nuclear agreement and reiterated the Left parties' resolve not to let the UPA Government at the Centre go ahead with the deal.

Inaugurating the delegates session of the CPI State Convention at the PKV Nagar (Regional Theatre) here, he said the US was trying to protect the interests of imperialism. Many countries in the world have rejected the agreement, he said.

''The idea of a strategic partnership with an imperialist country is impossible,'' he added.

Blaming the UPA Government for ignoring the common minimum programme, Mr Bardhan termed the 2008-09 union budget, presented by Finance Minister P Chidambaram yesterday, as a ''jugglery''.

CPI leader and former MP P A Solaman hoisted the party flag. More than 400 delegates were participating in the session.

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