Left warns govt not to go ahead with nuclear deal

New Delhi, Jun 25 (UNI) Left parties today warned the government that they will part company with it if the UPA went ahead with the Indo-US nuclear deal.

Talking to mediapersons after the joint meeting of the Left parties, CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan said, ''There is no change in our stand.'' Minutes before leaving for the UPA-Left panel meeting being held at 5 Talkatora residence of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the Left leader said if the government decides to execute the deal ''we will chart out our own course.'' While CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat choose not to interact with the mediapersons, the other Left leaders were emphatic said they will part company with the government if it went ahead with the nuclear deal.

On the reported patch up formula, Forward Bloc National Secretary G Devrajan wanted to know'' who needs such a formula?'' One of the formulas being talked about in political circles was that the government would not go to the Nuclear Suppliers Group if the Left gave their approval to the government to complete the pending business with the IAEA.

On the position of the Samajwadi Party on the deal, Mr Devrajan claimed that SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav was with the Left.

Revolutionary Socialist Party leader Abani Roy also endorsed the other Left leaders views.

UNI KSA SW RP AS1739