Left parties meeting over Indo-US nuke deal

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and CPI are holding a crucial meeting here today in the wake of its standoff with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government over the Indo-US civilian nuclear cooperation deal.

New Delhi, Aug 17 : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and CPI are holding a crucial meeting here today in the wake of its standoff with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government over the Indo-US civilian nuclear cooperation deal.

The Left parties have toughened their stand against the Manmohan Singh led government on the deal.

Despite Manmohan Singh's assurances in the Lok Sabha and during his bilateral talks with CPI-M General Secretary Prakash Karat that India's interests on future nuclear tests had not been sacrificed, all efforts failed to convince the Left.

While Karat has asked Dr. Singh to initiate fresh talks with the Bush Administration on the 123 Agreement, the latter has said that the deal is "non negotiable".

The Left parties also demanded a discussion and a proper response from the Government over the conflicting statements from Singh and the US Administration.

On Thursday, objections were raised in the Parliament to a statement issued by Sean McCormack, US State Department Spokesperson, which effectively said that Washington had the right to terminate the deal if India conducted a nuclear test.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee reiterated the UPA Government's stand that India has the sovereign right to conduct future nuclear tests, and would do so if it is necessary in the national interest.

The MPs said McCormack's statement violated India's sovereignty and nuclear security.

The BJP said that government had "misled" Parliament on the details of the agreement.

Dr. Singh told Parliament that the deal was crucial for the country's energy security, and did not take away its right to conduct nuclear tests.

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 the 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..." Singh told a Kolkata based daily in an interview.

The Left allies have said that operationalising the deal would be a "national tragedy".

Major political parties, like opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA), United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA), besides the Left are opposed to the Indo-US nuclear deal.

The BJP wants a debate under the Rule 184 that allows the division of the votes, while the Left favours a discussion under the Rule 193 that does not call for voting in the parliament.

ANI