Senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury was replying to a question about Banerjee's opposition to allowing FDI in retail, an issue raised in India by the visiting US Secretary of State.
"If such a situation arises that the government requires US help to pacify its allies or sort out problems within the ruling alliance, nothing can be a more sorry situation for the country. It shows the level of our dependence on the US," Yechury said.
Noting that the normal protocol for a high-level foreign visit was to begin with meetings at the Centre and then in the states, the CPI(M) leader pointed out that Clinton's visit started from Bengal but added it was the central government's prerogative to finalise the schedule of such a visit.
"This visit (of Clinton to Bengal) is more like an official recognition of the fact that the Left was defeated there," he said.
Attacking the UPA government for taking positions "at the behest of the US and in keeping with their interests", Yechury said there has been a significant decline in India buying oil from Iran in the past three months.
"Under US pressure, India has also virtually abandoned the Indo-Iran gas pipeline which could have given us cheaper crude. This is not acceptable as it goes against Indian interests," he said.
