Include sense of House in reply, CPM tells PM

New Delhi, Aug 11: Reiterating its demand for inclusion of ''sense of House'' in the Prime Minister's reply on a discussion on the Indo-US nuclear deal, the CPI(M) today demanded that he ''re-affirm'' what he has already assured Parliament.

The Left party reminded the PM that on two or three earlier occasions, he had assured Parliament that the ''goalposts of the pact'' will not be changed.

''We hope that the PM will abide by his own parameters, which he has assured of. He will also take into consideration nine serious departures in the deal,'' it added.

Notably, the main Opposition BJP has also been pressing for a discussion on the nuclear pact at the earliest.

At a news conference, CPI(M) parliamentary group leader Sitaram Yechury asserted that the civilian use of nuclear power was not in India's interests. '' It is hoped that the government will not bow to the US pressure.'' Mr Yechury, who was flanked by party floor leaders- Mr Basudeb Achariya and Mr Rup Chand Pal -- also made it clear that it disagreed with the BJP's perception on the issue. ''We do not agree with the saffron party's perspective on the strategic nuclear programme,'' he averred.

Stating that the Left hoped that the PM would not deviate from his stated position, the CPM leaders said, '' We will defend the sovereign right of India to decide on the nuclear programme according to our needs.'' The Left leaders, replying to a specific query on the government's attempts to ''dilute'' the Right to information Act, said the discussions were on with the government on the issue.

''We hope that the talks will reach some definitive conclusion by next week.'' The Left party also asked the Congress-led coalition government to be ''more vigilant and alert'' in view of the possibility of a terror attack as Independence Day was drawing near.

UNI

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