Karat serves a reminder: Govt running with Left support

Pointing to the fact that the Congress does not have absolute majority, the CPI(M) once again on Sunday asked the UPA Government to hold a debate in Parliament on nuclear deal

Pointing to the fact that the Congress does not have absolute majority, the CPI(M) once again on Sunday asked the UPA Government to hold a debate in Parliament on nuclear deal.

“Before taking another step on the deal, the UPA Government must remember that Congress has just 145 MPs. The Government is running on Left support,” CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said, while addressing a convention on nuclear deal here. He, however, said general elections would be held in 2009.

“Why so much haste in going ahead with the deal? The Government should wait for another six months before signing it. The deal is for 40 years, so there should be no haste in signing it,” he said.

Story continues below this ad

Saying that the Government was toeing the US line, he asked, “Can a minority Government deal in such a manner… we have no faith in you (Congress). The Government should first discuss the issue with the Left and then proceed further. The nuclear deal is not in our interest and we will never accept it.”

“US President George Bush is himself not popular and only 30 per cent of the people support him. So why should we dance to his tunes,” he said, adding “Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will have to decide whether he will go with us or the US.”

He also took a dig at the Centre for military alliance with the US in a “clandestine manner” and questioned the holding of joint military and naval exercises with other countries. “In fact, the US is preparing to bombard Iraq and Iran, and want to get its fighter planes re-fuelled in India,” he said.

He said the US wanted to revive its nuclear reactor industry and did not want India to produce power from thorium.

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

Statehood protest takes violent turn in Ladakh, BJP office set ablaze in Leh

India3 hr ago

Protests in Ladakh turned violent as students and youth organisations demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Two elderly protesters fainted, prompting a shutdown call. A BJP office and security vehicle were set on fire. Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged for a peaceful approach. The demand for Sixth Schedule status is due to Ladakh's tribal-majority population and direct central administration.

View all shorts

Live Blog