Left accuses UPA of "outsouring" foreign policy to US

NEW DELHI: In a scathing attack on the UPA government, the Left on Monday accused it of "outsourcing" foreign policy to the United States and bluntly told the Congress that its coalition has lost trustworthiness due to "its deals".

Participating in the discussion on the confidence motion in Lok Sabha, CPI(M) leader Mohd Salim said that the Left had not supported the Government to go ahead with the nuclear deal, the IAEA safeguards agreement and strategic alliance with the US.

The support was on the basis of a Common Minimum Programme (CMP), he said adding the governmnet must realise "there has been no minimum programme with (US) President Bush."

Alleging that the government has resorted to "diplomatic process outsourcing" to the US, he told the Congress not to be under the illusion that it could communalism "by sitting in Washington's lap".

Attacking the Congress for faulting the Left for withdrawing support to the government, he said the question is not only of trust, "but the trustworthiness of the government."

"The performance of the Government becomes fast when it comes to the nuclear deal," CPI(M) leader Mohd Salim said likening it to taking of dope by cricketers for enhancing their performance.

He regretted that the speed and performance of the government slowed down drastically when it came to issues like price rise and implementation of Sachar Commission.

He also accused the ruling alliance of indulging in horstrading as also had a dig at the Samajwadi Party for supporting the UPA. "Along with a wholesale deal, some retail deals are also taking place," Salim said.