Left parties see the US influence in the IAEA in the terms of reference of the political mechanism that is being formulated with the UPA leadership to end the stalemate on the nuclear deal. Besides, they will attempt to force a review of the strategic partnership with the US besides looking into implications of the Hyde Act on the 123 agreement.
Left parties, who will be meeting after the Congress leadership’s formal nod to the mechanism to deliberate on its composition, duration as well as terms of reference, are also of the view that the committee be headed by external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee. They, however, have hinted to the Congress that they would not like the panel to take a long time to go into these issues, indicating that a three-month period would find their approval.
CPI general secretary AB Bardhan laid out six points of concern to be addressed by the mechanism. He said that apart from the long term implications of the Hyde Act on the country’s strategic plans, the mechanism should also address all other concerns regarding the nuclear deal.
Mellowing down significantly Bardhan said that the Left will not destabilise the government, or the country or force a mid-term election. However, he persisted that the deal should not be operationalised. ?We have taken the democratic path of telling the government about our concerns and criticisms and asked it not to operationalise the agreement before our objections are cleared,? he said.
?The government must study the impact of Hyde Act on the 123 agreement. How the deal is going to influence India?s foreign policy is another concern. The increasing strategic partnership with the US is also a cause to worry,? Bardhan added. He maintained that the cost effectiveness of nuclear energy and the clause allowing annual certification of Indian reactors by the US scientists should be critically reviewed by the proposed mechanism.
Left circles also made no secret of their wish to let Pranab Mukherjee head of the panel, which might include Left leaders like Sitaram Yechury, D Raja and G Devarajan.
