Cong, Left to find common ground over N-deal

New Delhi, Aug 27: The senior leaders of Congress Party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the CPI will meet here today to find a common ground for the Left"s objections over the Indo-US nuclear deal.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A K Antony and Political Secretary to the Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Ahmed Patel, will meet CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat and CPI General Secretary AB Bardhan.

The Left Parties, which provide crucial support to the UPA Government, have demanded to stop all future negotiations of the deal leading to its operationalisation.

They have also warned the government of paying a 'political price' if they do not pay heed to their demand, raising doubts of the ruling coalition's survival.

CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury also held a series of meetings last week with the UPA leaders including its chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Pranab Mukherjee.

Meanwhile, Karat also held discussion with Bardhan and others on the decision of the party's Central Committee meeting on the nuclear deal.

Pranab Mukherjee had said that the whole issue would be debated in the Parliament. But so far, as discussions among the political parties are concerned, particularly those who are supporting the government, it always takes place, he said.

All eyes are on September meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) where Department of Atomic Energy Chief Anil Kakodkar is scheduled to be present.

Three more steps are left for the operationalisation of the nuclear deal that include agreement with the IAEA for India-specific nuclear safeguards, amendment in the Nuclear Suppliers Group's (NSG) charter and the passing of the text of the 123-agreement by the US Congress.

A debate on the issue is most likely to take place on August 29 in the Parliament.

ANI

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