Left divided over protest strategy

Differences have cropped up within the Left parties about the nature as well as method of their protest during President Barack Obama's visit to the country.

Differences have cropped up within the Left parties about the nature as well as method of their protest during President Barack Obama's visit to the country.

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With All India Forward Bloc (AIFB), the largest Left constituent in West Bengal after CPI (M), striking a strident note, the leaders of the four left parties consulted over phone on Friday and decided to hold a nation-wide protest on November 8.

Meanwhile, the AIFB will be observing a protest-week from November 6 to 12.

But unlike in 2006, when the Left protest ensured that George Bush didn't get a chance to address the Parliament here, this time the boycott call is not there. "There is no boycott", CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat said.

"We will be observing a protest week from November 6 to 12. We see no difference among Clinton, Bush or Obama in advancing US imperialism. Obama is following same policy of Bush—be it Cuba, Iran or DPR Korea", secretary of AIFB G Devarajan said.

A senior AIFB leader said, "It's not appropriate that our MPs are listening to Obama when our workers and leaders are protesting his visit and US policies country-wide for a week. But our party meet slated for November 2 and 3 will take a final call on MPs attending the US president address."