Govt pushing "US agenda" through nuclear deal: CPI-M

The CPI-M comes out with a series of pamphlets accusing the government of pushing the "US agenda" and demanded that the deal's operationalisation be halted.

Stepping up its offensive, the CPI-M on Monday came out with a series of pamphlets accusing the government of pushing the "US agenda" through the nuclear deal and demanded that its operationalisation be halted.

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The pamphlets, to be distributed during the party's countrywide campaign against the joint naval exercise involving the US, said the deal was not a stand-alone agreement but part of a "wider strategic alliance to make India the outpost of American interests in Asia".

The party had on Sunday warned that the government would "plunge into a crisis" if the deal was operationalised.

While one of the pamphlets was titled "Defend India's interests: don't proceed with the nuclear deal", another spoke of "false promises" made by the government on nuclear energy and making available cheap electricity.

It also warned that the strategic alliance the government was seeking to cement with the US has "serious implications" for the country's economy and the well-being of the people.

Observing that the deal was part of "a much larger programme in which India is to become a partner in the US strategic vision", another pamphlet said "this deal should be seen as a part of the Manmohan Singh Government's attempt to integrate India more closely with the US".

Ahead of its planned protests with other Left parties against the multi-nation naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal, which will also see the US participation, the CPI(M) contended that "the majority of Indian Parliament" was against the deal.

"By refusing to accept the majority view, government sends a message which is harmful for Indian democracy," it said.