In the backdrop of Left insistence that the UPA should not push ahead with India specific negotiations at the IAEA, a crucial meeting of the UPA-Left on Friday will discuss on implications of the Indo-US nuclear deal on India?s foreign policy.
Left parties have already submitted a note to the committee chairperson Pranab Mukherjee, government sources said on Thursday, which will form the basis for Friday’s discussions. The government response is expected to be given to Left parties in the form of another note.
Friday?s meeting, however, comes in the wake of Left demand that the nuclear deal be put on hold until it is discussed in the winter session in Parliament. Any contrary move would force them to pull out support from the government, they have warned.
??We will tell the government that if they go to IAEA for India-specific safeguard negotiations, we will have go to the people. Withdrawing the support will be automatic once the government starts the discussions. Whether they do this in October, November or two months after will not affect our decision,?? a senior politburo member told FE. The central committee of the CPI(M) has authorised the politburo to take necessary actions once the government puts the deal into operation.
The Left parties are also watching seriously the visit of IAEA director general Mohammed Elbaradei visit to India from Oct 8. Reports were also there that the government is keen to start the first round discussions in the IAEA by Oct 15.