New Delhi:
Lambasting BJP for harping on the Pokhran-II tests, the CPI has said possessing a nuclear bomb does not give strength to any nation, which had poverty-stricken and unemployed people in majority.
"It is their (BJP's) misconceived understanding that only by having a nuclear bomb can India become powerful. Unless we ensure security of life, jobs, education and healthcare, we cannot talk about the strength of a nation," CPI leader D Raja said from Tamil Nadu.
Maintaining that mere possession of a nuclear bomb "does not give strength to any nation", he said India cannot become powerful if the majority of the people were poverty stricken and unemployed.
Asserting that India should in fact strive for a nuclear weapon-free world, Raja said, "BJP only harps on two issues in its campaign -- Hindutva and the nuclear bomb."
The country should regain its moral authority to tell the world powers that it is time for nuclear disarmament, the CPI National Secretary said responding to BJP's poll plank on the issue.
He was reacting to statements by BJP leaders, including party chief Rajnath Singh, that it was the NDA regime which conducted the second round of nuclear tests despite economic sanctions by the developed nations.