People's Democracy

CPI(M) Opposes India-NATO Military Exercises

THE CPI(M) has objected to the Vajpayee government’s decision to participate in the joint naval exercises with the NATO in Alaska. Party Polit Bureau member Prakash Karat addressing a press conference in New Delhi on March 12 termed this decision as “one more step in becoming an outright partner in the growing US hegemonic initiatives.”

This decision of the Vajpayee government comes in the wake of growing military ties with the US, involving joint military exercises in both the countries. Karat pointed out that this latest decision is a step further in this process since it is the first time that India is holding joint exercises with NATO – a US led military grouping involved in many aggressions and post-aggression maintenance of US order, including Afghanistan, Yugoslavia etc. He expressed apprehension that India is being sought after as a collaborator for NATO’s expansion into Asia and the Vajpayee government was wilfully obliging. He warned that such alliances would be harmful to the interests of the people.

Prakash Karat also blasted Advani for indulging in his favourite pastime of communist bashing during the course of his yatra in Kerala. He said Advani harped on his oft-repeated theme of painting the communists as either anti-national or irrelevant. “It is only in Kerala that the BJP has never one even a single assembly seat. We leave it to the people of Kerala to give a fitting reply to these canards in the elections”, said Karat. He, however, pointed out that the main fight in the state would be between the CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF and said the Left would attack Antony government for following similar policies as that of the NDA, including providing space for all sorts of communal and fundamentalist forces.

Responding to questions, Karat made it clear that as the opposition has no national level alliance on the lines of NDA, the question of who should become the leader would be taken up after the elections. He also said that the RJD had offered to the CPI(M) one seat – Bhagalpur, which is a sitting seat of the CPI(M) – while the Party had made known its intention of contesting two seats. The Polit Bureau will take a decision on this based on the view of the Bihar state committee, which was meeting today in Patna., he said.

When asked for his reaction on the Supreme Court ordering the arrest of Purnea MP Pappu Yadav, Karat asserted that Pappu Yadav was a criminal who is also accused of murdering the CPI(M) leader and MLA, Ajit Sarkar. Therefore if Pappu Yadav fights alone or in alliance with anyone, the CPI(M) would oppose him, said Karat.

The two CPI(M) leaders today shred to pieces the Vajpayee government’s tall claims regarding Telecom and Roads sectors. They also recapped the major scams in these sectors under this regime.