CPM protests against India-US nuclear deal

Shimla, Jul 22 (UNI) Hundreds of CPM activists tested the UPA Government's decision to go ahead with the India-US Nuclear deal here in Himachal Pradesh and said the ''political instability'' in the country was due to the Congress party.

The activists held a demonstration outside the Shimla Deputy Commissioner's office here and later in the held a public meeting at Naaz.

Addressing the public and party activists, state party secretary Rakesh Singha said the present political crises in the country was due to the Congress, which was trying to push through the deal.

He said the Left parties supported the UPA Government at the Centre for the last four years on a common minimum programme (CMP), but had to withdraw its support after the government ignored their pleas not to go ahead with the nuclear deal.

While the common man was reeling under sky rising inflation and rise in the prices of essential commodities, the Congress was more concerned about nuclear deal only, he said.

He termed the CPM's decision to withdraw support to the UPA Government in the country's interest and said the blame for this goes entirely on the Congress.

Speaking on the occasion, party's state secretary Tikender Panwar said the special session of the Parliament had been called only due to the party's insistence.

He said CPM was not against nuclear energy, but against the restrictions put on the country by the agreement.

Referring to the Hyde Act, he said it had been enacted only with a view to this nuclear deal with the country and does not promise to provide the technology it needs, guarantee uninterrupted supply of fuel to the country, US can call the deal at any point of time and could take back its reactors and fuel and ensure that no other country provided fuel to India.

Besides, Mr Panwar said the cost of per unit power generation through nuclear fuel would come from Rs 5.10 to Rs 5.50 as against Rs 2.50 per unit power generation by hydel and coal.

He also warned of intensifying its agitation against the UPA Government unless it backtracks on the nuclear deal.

UNI AS MA JS1843