Date:29/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/29/stories/2007062959500800.htm

Tamil Nadu

CPI(M) plans agitation against USS Nimitz visit

Staff Reporter

Left parties to hold protest meeting on July 2

NAGERCOIL: The Community Party of India (Marxist) will launch a nation-wide agitation against the Government’s decision to allow USS Nimitz, a warship of the United States, to dock in Chennai, party general secretary Prakash K arat has said.

He was addressing a public meeting got up to mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of the first Communist Government in Kerala and the 30th anniversary of the formation of the Left Government in West Bengal.

The policies persuaded by the Governments in Kerala and West Bengal had received overwhelming support of the people.

In West Bengal, the Government concentrated on infrastructure, education, land reforms and providing equal right to men and women. That was why, a single party could rule for so long.

The United progressive Alliance Government at the Centre had fulfilled some of the promises made in the Common Minimum Programme. But, it was yet to honour some others. Whenever it deviated from the programme, the CPI (M) never failed to object. It showed that the party was concerned about the welfare of the poor.

Reacting to the concern over price rise, Mr. Karat urged the Government to expand the Public Distribution system to supply essential commodities at affordable prices.

He also urged the Government not to increase the prices of petroleum products.

Meanwhile, the two-day State Executive Committee meeting of the party began at Kanyakumari.

The meeting was attended among other by Mr. Karat.

Protest meeting

Our Special Correspondent reports from Chennai:

The Communist parties will hold a protest meeting in front of the Chennai Port Trust office on July 2, to condemn the Centre’s decision to allow the USS Nimitz to dock in Chennai between July 1 and 5.

The ship has been used in several military manoeuvres in Iraq and Afghanistan and has nuclear and missile capabilities.

Allowing it to dock in an Indian port would be inimical to the nation’s safety, D. Pandian, secretary, Communist Party of India, and N. Varadarajan, secretary, Communist Party of India (M), said in a statement.