The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Trade pact will hit farmers, fishermen: VS

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Tuesday, Nov 03, 2009
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Trade pact will hit farmers, fishermen: VS

Staff Reporter

— Photo: H. Vibhu

ON CAMPAIGN MODE: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan at a campaign meeting of the LDF candidate P.N. Seenulal in the city on Monday.

KOCHI: The statements made by Defence Minister A.K. Antony on the Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN countries amounts to self-deceit, said Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, here on Monday.

He was speaking after inaugurating the campaign meeting of the LDF candidate P.N. Seenulal at Vallarpadam, Mulavukadu and Kadavanthra.

The agreement will adversely affect farmers and the fisheries sector. All these were explained to the Prime Minister in person, he said.

Supporting corporates

The second term of Union government led by Manmohan Singh is supporting mostly corporate giants. Almost 300 of those elected to the Lok Sabha for this term represent the corporate players.

The first term was supported by the Left parties and thus the nation could tide over the impact of the global recession.

The public’s reaction to the signing of the ASEAN agreement was reflected in the byelection to the local bodies, where the LDF won the majority of seats.

Human chain

The first expression of protest by the public was the human chain formed against it. This protest will be reflected in this Assembly by-election too, Mr. Achuthanandan said.

This election was imposed on the State, as Congress legislators chose to contest for the Lok Sabha, the Chief Minister said.

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