Obama to face protest during India visit

New Delhi, Jan 2: Leaders of six Left parties met today to chalk out agitational programmes during the upcoming visit of US President Barack Obama to protest the growing links between the Narendra Modi government and "imperialism".

CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation, RSP, Forward Bloc and SUCI (Communist) decided in principle to stage protest actions during Obama's visit, details of which would be chalked out later, CPI leader D Raja said.

Besides Raja, the meeting was attended among others by CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat and CPI(ML) Liberation's Central Committee member Kavita Krishnan.

Raja said the intent of the protests was to focus people's attention on the strategic relations between India and the US, including defence cooperation, with Washington trying to step up arms sales to New Delhi.

A few months ago, the six parties had decided to create a broad Left platform, involve more like-minded parties and groups, and launch joint movements to fight against neo- liberal policies, communalism and imperialism.

PTI