Cong to meet all UPA allies over N-deal

New Delhi, Aug 18 (UNI) Stung by the Left's ultimatum to the UPA Government on the Indo-US nuclear deal, the Congress today decided to meet all its allies within the next 24 hours to decide on the future course of action.

An emergency meeting of the Congress core group, attended by top Congress leaders including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party chief Sonia Gandhi, was called minutes after CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat warned the Government of ''serious consequences'' if the nuclear deal was operationalised.

The 90-minute meeting, held at the Prime Minister's Race Course Road residence, was also attended by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Defence Minister A K Antony and Human Resource Minister Arjun Singh.

Prior to the meeting, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon apprised Mr Mukherjee of the strategic implications of putting the deal on hold.

It has been decided to hold a parliamentary party meeting on the nuclear deal on Monday.

However, before the parliamentary party meeting the Congress leadership will meet all the allies.

The process has already started with Mr Mukherjee, Mr Antony and Congress President's Political Adviser Ahmed Patel meeting RJD chief Lalu Prasad at Mr Mukherjee's residence tonight.

Mr Mukherjee will also meet Left leaders one by one before the parliamentary party meeting.

The four Left parties -- CPI(M), CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc -- which are extending crucial outside support to the UPA coaltion-- have asked the Government not to take further action on the implementation of the 123 agreement including talks with IAEA and the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG).

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said national interest would continue to be the party's "guiding pole star" on the nuclear issue. ''The two years of discussions culminating in the 123 agreement have been actuated only by national interest. That shall continue to be our guiding pole star. No apprehension in this regard are justified," he said.

Downplaying the Left's ultimatum, he said" Occasional marital differences are part of any marriage and that need not lead to any hasty talk of divorce.'' UNI YJ AKJ RAI2224