'A look at the record would confirm that the Left consistently took up the issues of food security and the public distribution system, the rural employment guarantee scheme, the impact of WTO (World Trade Organisation) rules on agriculture and farmers, land rights for tribal people, the need for greater allocations for health and education in union budgets, and the whole gamut of neo-liberal policies that adversely affected the well-being of the Indian people,' he said.

Karat contended the Left was not influenced by any 'gut anti-Americanism or any exaggerated fear of the power of the US'.

'It is a recognition that the neo-liberal policies pursued by the Indian ruling classes get their greatest sustenance from the strategic link with the US. This link not only affects foreign policy but the domestic economic agenda as well,' he said.

The struggle for a better life for the people and fight against imperialist domination must go together, he said.