Karat meets Mulayam to narrow down differences on nuclear deal

New Delhi, Jun 25 (UNI) Just a few hours before the meeting of the UPA-Left panel on Indo-US nuclear deal, CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat today met Samajwadi Party Chief and UNPA Chairperson Mulayam Singh Yadav to apprise him of the Left's views on the deal.

''Mr Karat met Mr Yadav at the latter's son Akhilesh Yadav's residence and discussed the various aspect of the deal and the SP's views on it,'' a source told UNI.

However, Mr Yadav is understood to have told Mr Karat that a final view on the issue would be taken after the UNPA meeting here on July 3.

The support of the Samajwadi party to the UPA government was crucial for its survival in case the Left implemented its threat to wihdraw its support to it if it went ahead with IAEA safeguards agreement. The SP has 39 MPs in the Lok Sabha.

The Samajwadi Party had two days back reiterated its stand that it could modify its position on the deal provided the government gave some new assurances based on new facts that the deal would not harm the interest of the country.

The meeting of Mr Karat with Mr Yadav comes amidst report of the SP inclining towards extending the much needed support to the Congress-led UPA government in case it was deserted by the Left.

The Left leaders yesterday had talks with a UNPA representative too.

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