Karat warns UPA govt on Indo-US nuke deal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Stepping up the attack on the Centre over the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, CPI-M General Secretary Prakash Karat on Thursday said the United Progressive Alliance government would have to pay a heavy political price if it went ahead with the agreement.

"We will oppose the deal in Parliament. The UPA is a minority in Parliament. If the government pursues the deal we will also go to the people and it will have to pay a heavy political price," Karat said addressing an "anti-imperialism convention" organised by the Kerala University Students Union.

Hitting out at the 'pro-American' tilt in the UPA's foreign policy, he said the Centre appeared to be taking forward the alliance with the US begun by the previous NDA government.
 
"After the 123 agreement, we will be asked to follow the 126 agreement and we will be told to buy artillery, fighters and helicopters," he said.

"If you continue with the strategic alliance with the US, it will meet opposition not just from the Left parties," he said.

"The nuclear deal is not an isolated incident. It is part of a strategic alliance between India and USA,"  he said.

The CPI-M leader said the Left parties would oppose any move to make India a junior partner of the 'US-led imperialist alliance.'

"What is the common strategic goal between India and USA. The USA attacked Iraq and now targetting Iran. Is it the same interest India has?," he asked.