Forward Bloc to stay away from Obama's address to Parliament

The visit of Barack Obama to India has divided Left parties with Forward Bloc today deciding to abstain from attending the US president's address to Parliament even as CPI(M) and CPI are allowing their MPs to attend the function.

The decision not to allow its three MPs from attending the address was taken at a meeting of the Forward Bloc Central Committee in New Delhi, D Deverajan, Forward Bloc national secretary said.

"We had boycotted Bill Clinton's address in 2000. We don't find any difference between Clinton and Obama, both from the Democratic Party in the US," Deverajan said.

However, CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat has said there was a "difference between George W Bush and Obama" and that his party was not boycotting the address.

The Forward Bloc leaders also felt that it was not proper for their MPs to attend the address when their supporters are protesting against the visit of the American president, Deverajan said.

He said the party members will participate in the November eight joint protest by Left parties against the visit.