PM downplays Karat's ultimatum to UPA on N-deal

Vadodara, Dec 11: Downplaying CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat's ultimatum to the UPA government to end negotiations with the IAEA on the nuclear deal by December-end or be prepared to face a mid-term poll, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the process to build a viable national consensus on the issue was still on.

Addressing a press conference here, the Prime Minister said, ''In the coalition government formed with the support of the Left parties, there are differences of opinion on the nuclear deal.'' He said a committee appointed by his government ''was looking into how we can once again build a viable national consensus and work out a common strategy which is acceptable to all members of the coalition. The process is still on. Unless the process is concluded, it is very difficult for me to comment on the issue.'' When he was again asked about the possibility of a mid-term poll in view of Mr Karat's deadline, the Prime Minister said, ''We will cross the bridge only when we reach there.''

UNI