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Thursday, Jul 10, 2008
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Energy security not assured: Left

Special Correspondent

“Nuclear deal will restrict strategic autonomy”

Left leaders T.J. Chandrachoodan, A.B. Bardhan, Prakash Karat and Debabrata Biswas addressing the media after submitting the letter of withdrawal of support to the UPA government, to President Pratibha Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Wednesday. - PHOTO: S. SUBRAMANIUM

NEW DELHI: In a joint statement, the Left parties on Wednesday cited three major reasons for withdrawing support to the Manmohan Singh-led government.

“The nuclear deal will not provide India energy security. Since it is anchored in a U.S. law, the Hyde Act, it will hamper an independent foreign policy and restrict our strategic autonomy.”

Secondly, the Manmohan Singh government was guilty of gross violation of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP), which did not provide for a strategic alliance with the U.S.

Thirdly, the Left parties could not support a course harmful for the people and the country’s sovereignty.

“The Congress-led government was supported by the Left parties on the basis of a commitment that it would follow an independent foreign policy in contrast to the pro-American stand of the BJP-led government. That commitment has been violated. Hence, the Left parties will have to disassociate from the government,” the statement said.

The statement accused the Congress-led government of failing to check the price rise of food grains and other essential commodities which have all shot up to unprecedented high levels.

“The Congress is determined to go ahead with a further rightwing shift in both foreign and domestic policies. This situation is providing fertile ground for the communal forces. Since the Congress-led government is wilfully disregarding the CMP, the Left parties have decided to withdraw support from such an anti-people government.”

“With the withdrawal of support by the Left parties, the government has lost its majority and legitimacy. The Prime Minister must face the Lok Sabha and seek a vote of confidence,” it said.

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