Manmohan Singh and Left leaders discuss Indo-US nuclear deal

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had discussions here this morning with the Left leaders on issues related to the Indo-US nuclear deal in an effort to patch up differences.

New Delhi, Aug 14 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had discussions here this morning with the Left leaders on issues related to the Indo-US nuclear deal in an effort to patch up differences.

"Dr. Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary Prakash Karat discussed the issues connected with the bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement between India and the United States," Sanjaya Baru, Media Advisor to Dr. Singh told reporters.

Karat has assured that he will take up the matter in the politburo that is meeting this weekend, Baru added.

The meeting was held a day after Dr. Manmohan Singh told Parliament that the Indo-US civil nuclear deal would not impinge on the country's sovereignty, or its right to future nuclear tests in any way.

Dr. Manmohan Singh's meeting with Karat was followed by another meeting between the Prime Minister and CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan. The Prime Minister has assured the Left leaders that the deal would not affect the country's sovereignty.

With the Left leaders already toning down their opposition and making it clear to the Prime Minister that the "integrity of the government had never been in question,", are still stuck on their demand for a debate in the House under Rule 193 that does not entail voting.

The Left leaders have already warned the government that it may have to pay a "heavy price" if it went ahead with the nuclear deal with the US

Anguished by Left's consistent criticisms against the deal, Prime Minister Singh on Thursday told the Left parties "to do whatever they want to do."

"If they (Left) want to withdraw support, so be it..." Dr. Singh told a Kolkata based daily in an interview.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it would wait for a statement from the Left before taking a stand in the Parliament.

BJP spokesman, V K Malhotra said that as of now the left parties do not want to go along with the BJP, but noted that they have given a separate notice for discussion under rule 184.

The BJP has called for a debate on the issue under Rule 184, which entails voting.

ANI