CPI(M) readying for a final call on N-deal

Party sources informed FE that the central committee would also evaluate the political situation in the country and discuss the need for rescheduling its party Congress, which is slated to take place sometime in March 2008.

?We expect a final decision of the Left-UPA mechanism by October 15. From the media reports, it seems that the government is adamant on putting the Indo-US nuclear deal into operation even before,? a senior politburo member said, reacting to media reports that the government is expected to start the India-specific safeguard discussions at the IAEA by the end of October.

If the dates for party Congress at Coimbatore changes the state conferences scheduled to begin from February will also have to be changed. There is another opinion within the party that both the party organisational meets and the election campaign could be arried out simultaneously.

The Left parties have already made it clear that withdrawing support to the Centre would be ?automatic?, if the government goes ahead with the operationalisation process. They also maintained that they do not care, if their vote share is reduced marginally.

?For us ideological position is important. We will never support a deal, which is harmful to the country?s sovereignty,? the politburo member added.

As the Left Front in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura have won maximum number of seats in the last general elections, the CPI(M) is not expecting an increase in the vote share in these three states. Sources said that the party would concentrate on its ?priority states,? like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, for more seats. ?We will have tactical understanding with regional parties in these states,? the CPI(M) leader said.

The CPI(M) is also critical of the Congress? position on the Ram Setu issue. ?The government unnecessarily gave a weapon in the hands of communal forces. Such politically sensitive issues should have been dealt with utmost care,? the leader said.