Lucknow: The Left parties on Sunday told the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government to change its stand on the Iran nuclear issue, or they would raise the matter in Parliament and put the "government in the dock."

Accusing the Government of "surrendering" before "imperialist U.S.A.," Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat said the Government would have to clearly state whether it was with the United States or the non-aligned nations.

Addressing a public meeting with Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav on `Swatantra Videsh Niti Apnao, Desh bachao' (Follow independent foreign policy, save the country), the Left party leaders urged the Government to follow an independent foreign policy.

Mr. Karat termed as "disgraceful" the Government's stand on Iran and asked it to change its position before the November 24 meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency. "If the Government does not concede our demand, the matter will be raised in Parliament and we will put it in the dock on the issue," he said.

"It appears that the Manmohan Singh Government has finally decided that an independent foreign policy is not required. ... Has the Government decided that it will dance to the tune of the U.S.," he asked, insisting that the Centre also explain to the people the military pacts with the U.S.

Pointing out that "Iran was our friend," Mr. Karat denounced the U.S. for "bullying" the country (Iran) and maintained that it had not violated any international law.

Alleging that the Government did not take its supporting parties into confidence on the Iran issue, he said that foreign policies could not be decided in closed rooms. "I am sure the Government will be forced to change its stand if we launch an agitation with our collective strength."

Mr. Yadav accused the UPA Government of meekly surrendering to the U.S. He exhorted people to be ready for a long battle, including a `Bharat bandh.' "We have lost several of our friends owing to meek foreign policy," he said. — PTI

No compromise

Our Special Correspondent reports from Kolkata:

"The United Progressive Alliance Government will have to decide on whether it would like to continue with the support of rightist forces or ours [the Left parties] ... for we do not compromise when it comes to matters of principle," Polit Bureau member Anil Biswas said in Kolkata on Sunday.

Mr. Biswas was speaking at a mass convention organised by the ruling Left Front to protest against the Centre bowing to pressure being imposed by the United States, particularly in the context of India's stand on Iran's nuclear programme.

Though the Left would continue its support to the United Progressive Alliance Government, "the question is whether the Centre wants to function with the support of the rightist forces or the Left," Mr. Biswas said. Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh said the support the Centre was receiving from parties outside the Government should not be taken for granted. The surrender to U.S. interests was not evident only in foreign policy but also in the economic domain, he said.

Left Front Chairman and Polit Bureau member of the CPI(M) Biman Bose said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was succumbing to U.S. pressure on matters concerning international relations.

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