Bengal unit of CPM supports nuclear power

Sep 22: CPI (M) leader and former chief minister of Bengal has accepted the necessity of nuclear power and has supported it. Coming out the weekly meeting of the CPM state secretariat Mr. Jyoti Basu said, “Nuclear energy is necessary and there is need for nuclear power plants. With new industries mushrooming, the demand for power will increase”.

Statements of the veteran leader of the party gain significance in view of the fact that three days ago West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee also backed nuclear power. Basu also said that there is nothing wrong in getting overseas assistance if it is necessary.

Basu also indicated the softening of the posture of Left on Indo-US nuclear deal saying, “there could be some easing off the situation”.

CPI (M) Polit Bureau and the central committee’s meeting will be held on Sep 28 to Oct 01 following which the UPA Left meeting is also due on Oct 05. He expressed his hope of UPA-Left finding a solution to the problem between them.

Basu opened his arms for the nuclear power saying that they are against American imperialism but not mindful of the American capital and investments as these come not for charity but for profit. We also get profit out of it. This is mutual interest.

Some senior members of CPM said that his support for nuclear power and welcoming approach for US investments does not mean the endorsement of the Indo-US nuclear deal.

Some see his remarks as deliberately made to lure the industrialists as he endorsed the decision of Bhattacharjee of not cancelling the visit of the industry minister of state to US.