This issue of People’s Democracy gives the clearest insight into the developments that led to the freezing of the nuclear deal. “The Central Committee made three points regarding the nuclear deal. Firstly, the Central Committee reiterated the stand adopted unanimously in its August 22-23 meeting, which asked the government not to proceed with the next step of negotiating the text of a safeguards agreement with the IAEA. Secondly, the Central Committee wanted the UPA-Left Committee on the nuclear issue to examine the various aspects of the Hyde Act and its implications for foreign policy and security related matters. Thirdly, the Central Committee asked the government not to proceed further on the next steps regarding the nuclear deal till it can be discussed in the Winter Session of parliament... On the eve of the October 9 meeting, the electronic and print media went into a frenzied bout of prediction that the fall of the government is imminent and early elections inevitable... The Left parties have correctly rejected any move to hold talks with the IAEA at this stage... By October 22, the Congress leadership would have to decide whether it should disregard the Left’s objections... This may entail not only the fall of the government but also a premature end to the deal itself. The Left parties have made it clear that they have no interest whatsoever in forcing a mid-term poll,” it says.

Food fight

The CPM blames the ongoing violence in West Bengal over the public distribution system on the Trinamul Congress, BJP, SUCI, and Naxalites, and says, “The people know that when the Union government is keen to decimate the rationing system all over the country, the Left-led states have sought bravely to keep the public distribution of essential commodities from fair price shops intact.”

Thinking ahead

Bengal is not only making chemical hubs, but is entering areas such as plastics and steel in a big way, says an article in People’s Democracy. It credits Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee with the vision to think ahead in this regard, and says that over one lakh of people will be employed by these industries. A total of just under Rs 100 crore would be invested, and more investment proposals are in the proverbial pipeline.