BJP-led NDA govt is agent of US: Pawar

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Friday criticised NDA's foreign policy, alleging that the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was an "agent of the US".

"Every step and statement of the Prime Minister was on the instructions of the US", he said while addressing a rally for Congress candidate from Mumbai-south constituency, Milind Deora.

"The respect achieved by the country since independence has been lost due to the wrong foreign policies of the NDA government," Pawar said, adding "the country was once leader of the non-aligned countries, but has now lost that position".

Campaigning for Deora, who is taking on Union Minister and BJP candidate Jaywantiben Mehta, filmstar Nagma said she was "impressed by the secular image of the party and the leadership of Sonia Gandhi".

Earlier, addressing a rally in Borivali to canvass support for filmstar Govinda, Congress candidate from Mumbai-north constituency, Pawar said the NDA government had brought down the image of the country at international level.

Referring to India's policies on Iraq, he said, "the NDA government had done injustice to its people by not supporting them during their need-- even after it provided assistance to the country for fighting terrorism".