Left seeks Karunanidhi's intercession on nuke deal impasse

Chennai, Jun 22 (UNI) CPI(M) general Secretary Prakash Karat and CPI National Secretary D Raja today met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunandihi and sought his intervention to end the stand off on the Indo US nuke deal.

Talking to newspersons after an hour-long meeting at Mr Karunanidhi's Gopalapuram residence, Mr Karat and Mr Raja said ''On behalf of the Left parties we met the Chief Minister and explained to him our views on the Centre's proposal to go ahead with the talks with the IAEA Board of Governors on nuclear safeguards''.

They said the Left did not agree to this proposal and we have explained our stand to Mr Karunanidhi, who is one of the senior most leaders of the UPA alliance.

''We requested him to intervene and intercede in this problem and arrive at a solution. The Left parties will again discuss the issue to find an amicable solution,'' Mr Karat said.

Mr Karunanidhi told the two Left leaders not to take any step that would threaten or disrupt the unity between the Left parties and the UPA as it would only help the communal forces to come back into limelight, he said.

Mr Karat said, ''He appealed to us to think on how to solve the problem.'' Mr Karunanidhi also told them he would also think on how to solve the impasse.

Mr Karat said the Left leaders would discuss the issue among themselves and keep in touch with Mr Karunanidhi.

Answering a question, Mr Karat said Mr Karunanidhi stressed the need for maintaining the unity within the UPA.

Asked if the Left would take any steps to ensure that UPA completes its full term to avoid early elections to Lok Sabha, Mr Karat said, ''I cannot say anything on this.'' About the threatening e-mails received by Mr Yechuri, Mr Raja and himself, Mr Karat said, We are not bothered about such mails.'' UNI GV VV AM RN1859