PM talks to Yechury on Bush visit

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, it is learnt, has spoken to the CPI(M) leadership to persuade it to cancel its plan to hold protests during US President George W Bush's visit to India, which will be embarrassing for the government.

The prime minister spoke to CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury, who was learnt to have said the party was ready to discuss this issue during the UPA-Left coordination committee meeting tomorrow.

CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat had earlier announced the party's decision to organise a countrywide agitation during the US President's visit. The government is said to be of the view that the Left party can go ahead with its agitation, but it should be kept outside the confines of Delhi.

Meanwhile, amidst speculation about the possibility of the US President addressing a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament, the CPI(M) leadership clarified that the party was yet to take a decision on this.

"We have not decided it as yet. So far, we have just decided to oppose the US President's visit by organising protests," Yechury said.