Ballistic Left gets fuel to blast Centre on nuclear deal
The Left’s unquenchable thirst for attacking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his economy managers was on display on Sunday when it laid the blame for the Congress’ defeat in Karnataka at the government’s doorsteps.
By Amita Shah, TNN |
NEW DELHI: The Left���s unquenchable thirst for attacking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his economy managers was on display on Sunday when it laid the blame for the Congress��� defeat in Karnataka at the government���s doorsteps. The Left leaders, who interpreted the verdict as a lack of confidence in the fitness of the government leadership to lead the nation���s economy, said persisting with current policies will guarantee power for the BJP.
Responding to the Karnataka poll results, CPM polit bureau member Sitaram Yechury said it was high time the UPA changed its policies and drew up a ���priority��� plan. ���It is time to pull up the socks. The growing dissatisfaction among the people about Congress��� policies has to be rectified by the UPA. It is contributing to the growth of the BJP. The UPA has one more year to set things right. They are neglecting constructive suggestions and alternatives the Left is proposing,��� he said.
The immediate casualty of the backbreaking defeat for the Congress in Karnataka will be the nuclear deal. The Left has already asked the government not to go to IAEA negotiations slated for next month. At the meeting of the UPA-Left panel on May 28, the Left is expected to reject the government���s proposal to allow it to complete the safeguards agreement.
The government had indicated that the timeline for the Indo-US nuclear deal had in any case already been disrupted, an argument the Left is refusing to buy. While the Congress will have no stamina for backing the deal, the Left leaders are certain to make it clear to the prime minister that he cannot move ahead with the agreement. The Left is sure to take an aggressive stand against the economic policies of the Centre. It will seek controls and regulations to tackle issues such as price rise.
The Left���s analysis that the reform paradigm of the government is responsible for the anger and frustration in the country side is shared by many in the party and the alliance. The section that wants kinder reforms is certain to feel emboldened to make public their political point. This formulation can be accepted only at the risk of admitting that reforms lack kindness and gentleness.
The Left���s attack will increase the nervousness of the allies about the strength and stance of Manmohan Singh regime���s claim that things on the economic front would improve in the days to come. The allies are certain to see the Karnataka verdict as an indicator of the Centre���s unpopularity.
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The government is already finding it difficult to appease the allies. While the pressure from the DMK on the Sethusamudram project exposed it to the threat of a Hindu anger, Anbumani Ramadoss forced the Centre to cross limits of constitutional decency for sacking the AIIMS director.Download
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