Left flexes muscle with anti-US rally in Kolkata

The Left Fronts vehement opposition against Indias growing engagements with the US was in full force today, as a huge anti-imperialist rally was taken out by the communists in Kolkata, leading to traffic snarl in many places.

Kolkata, Sep 1 : The Left Front's vehement opposition against India's growing engagements with the US was in full force today, as a huge 'anti-imperialist' rally was taken out by the communists in Kolkata, leading to traffic snarl in many places.

The cadres, carrying placards with anti-imperial slogans, shouted slogans against the Indo-US nuclear deal and the soon to be held multilateral naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal.

The rally also coincided with Germany's attack on Poland in 1939 that led to the beginning of the World War II.

"We are observing the rally since 1945 when fascist forces were defeated by peace-loving people, and we observe the day as 'Peace Day' or 'Anti-Imperialist Day'," a senior CPI (M) leader said.

This rally will also help in making people aware about forces, who are threatening our country's sovereignty and integrity," he added.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was present at the rally along with Left Front chairman Biman Bose.

Meanwhile, in an article published in CPI (M) mouthpiece, party General Secretary Prakash Karat wrote: "The nuclear deal, the military agreement and the economic policies designed to advance the interests of US capital are parts of the trio which are harmful for India`s sovereignty, independent foreign policy and the people`s economic interests."

Karat contended that strategic alliance with the US would make India a US ally like the South Korea and Japan.

The Left parties have already announced launching huge rallies along the east coast of India against the naval exercise with the US, which is scheduled to begin on September 4.

ANI