People's Democracy

(Weekly Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)


Vol. XXXII

No. 26

July 06 , 2008

 


POLIT BUREAU COMMUNIQUE

CPI(M) To Withdraw Support If Govt Goes Ahead On Nuke Deal

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) met in New Delhi On June 29, 2008. It has issued the following statement:

On Nuclear Deal

THE Polit Bureau heard a report on the current impasse arising out of the prime minister and the Congress leadership's insistence on going ahead with the Indo-US nuclear deal.

The Polit Bureau wishes to point out that going to the Board of Governors of the IAEA for approval of the Safeguards Agreement will be a flagrant violation of the understanding arrived at in the November 16, 2007 meeting of the UPA-Left committee on the nuclear deal. The UPA had pledged not to proceed till the committee arrives at its findings, which includes the conclusions to be arrived at on the text of the Safeguards Agreement.

The Polit Bureau wishes to point out that the UPA was formed to keep the communal forces at bay. By taking such a step and the political consequences thereafter, that purpose will be undermined. We appeal to the partners of the Congress in the UPA to ensure that no such steps are taken which will help the communal forces.

The Polit Bureau reiterates its firm opposition to the 123 agreement which does not provide for full civilian nuclear cooperation; does not meet the needs of energy security and which will severely undermine the country's independent foreign policy and strategic autonomy by cementing a strategic alliance with the United States.

In case the government decides to go ahead with such a harmful agreement, which has no majority support in parliament, the CPI(M) will withdraw support to the UPA government in concert with the Left parties.



Inflation and Price Rise

The Polit Bureau expressed grave concern at the galloping inflation rate which has touched 11.42 per cent. The Manmohan Singh government has abjectly failed to tackle inflation. The price rise of essential commodities imposes a crushing burden on the people. The poor are finding it difficult to survive given the rising cost of food stuffs.

It is unfortunate that at a time when the government should be gearing up to take comprehensive steps to tackle inflation and price rise, the prime minister and the Congress leadership are more concerned about fulfilling their commitment made to president Bush to operationalise the nuclear deal.

The Polit Bureau notes that wedded to neo-liberal policies, the Congress-led government callously refuses to take the urgent steps necessary to curb price rise and provide relief to the people.

The CPI(M) will, after consultations with the Left parties launch an intensive campaign unitedly to expose the Congress-led government's surrender to national interests on the nuclear deal and its failure to curb price rise.