Left not to give way on N-deal

NEW DELHI: The UPA may have decided to look into the objections of the Left on the civil nuclear deal with the US but the Left seems to be in no mood to hold the fire on the controversial issue.

After holding street protests against the 'pro-US' tilt in the foreign policy and writing an open letter to MPs, a collection of articles penned by CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat has been brought out in which he trashes the deal.

He also asks the UPA government to promote efforts for creating an 'Asian energy security grid' in which India should collaborate with its energy-hungry neighbour China and Russia, which has emerged as an energy super power.

In the book, a revised compilation of articles written by him over a period of two years, he minces no words in saying that the Left and democratic forces have to decide on the course of action to counter the government's 'pro-imperialist path'.

He also told that the Manmohan Singh government should realise that "as a government that does not command a majority in Parliament it has been unmindful of the need to create a broader understanding on such issues."

"The Left parties continue to accord priority to having a secular government and keeping the communal forces at bay.

"However, this cannot be taken as a license by the UPA government to go ahead with such a long-term agreement which has serious implications for India's independent foreign policy and sovereignty," he says in one of the articles.