While the Congress is yet to finalise its strategy on the proposed mechanism to ensure a smooth sail for the Indo-US nuclear deal, the Left parties are already on the road with a mass campaign. The campaign is aimed at sensitising common people on the “adverse” impact of the deal.
The CPI-M brought out a series of four pamphlets on Monday.
These pamphlets analyse in simple language the negative impact of the nuclear deal on India’s independent foreign policy, energy security and economy. Titled “Defending India’s interests,” one of the pamphlets explains the impact of the Hyde Act.
It says, “Like a teacher reports whether a student has failed or passed, India’s foreign policy will be assessed every year by the American president and an annual report card will be presented to the American Congress.” This report would state whether India had passed the test of a loyal ally. This would mean that the country had to act in such a manner that American interests were upheld at all costs.
The pamphlet adds, “This deal should be seen as a part of the Manmohan Singh government’s attempt to integrate India more closely with the US.”
The US agenda
The pamphlet projects that the accord is aimed at “pushing through the US agenda” in all fields of concern to the people.
CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan, who will be leading the protest campaign from Kolkata, had already said that the Left leaders would take common people into confidence on why the Marxists were against the nuclear deal.
“Though most Indian Parliamentarians were against the deal, the government refused to accept this,” the CPI-M pamphlet said.
“The agreement is more than just one nuclear deal. It is meant to push through the US agenda in all fields of concern to our people, whether it is the sovereignty of India, the interests of common people, farmers, of workers and employees,” the party said.
The pamphlet refuted the government’s position on different aspects of the issue. It also reiterated why it should not operationalise the 123 agreement.
