Red alert for govt

CPI-M serves ultimatum; Congress holds emergency meet

It was a choice between saving the government or the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement for the UPA government, as the CPI-M today threatened 'serious consequences' for the government if it proceeded with the nuke deal. Immediately after this warning, an emergency meeting of the core group of the Congress was called. The meeting, however, adjourned without taking any decision.

Congress sources said a meeting of the UPA allies was likely on Monday. This was the only indication the party gave of the depth of its concern about a political situation that seemed to be inching towards a mid-term election. The Left parties are also expected to meet on the same day.

After two days of politburo meet, CPI-M came out again with a strong statement and reiterated its uncompromising opposition to the nuclear deal. The politburo resolution stated: "Given the widespread opposition to the agreement and the fact that a majority in Parliament does not support the nuclear cooperation deal, the government should not proceed further with the agreement."

"Till all the objections are considered and the implications of the Hyde Act evaluated, the government should not take the next step with regard to negotiating a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency," the politburo said. This was being interpreted in the more optimistic circles of the Congress as a tiny window, a possible space for buying time: maybe the creation of a committee or a mechanism that could 'study' the Left's concerns.

Although the public statement didn't clearly spell out what the party would do if the government went ahead with the agreement, Business Standard has learnt that party General Secretary Prakash Karat has conveyed to the Congress brass that the Left parties may be compelled to reconsider support to the government.

After the politburo meeting was over, Karat sought an appointment with the prime minister and along with politburo member Sitaram Yechuri met Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi at 7 Race Course Road and reportedly conveyed the decision of the politburo. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee was also present at the meeting.

Later Karat told reporters, "They (the Congress leaders) told us that they will get back to us after consultations among themselves."

Yesterday, the other communist party "" CPI "" had called for 'merit-based' support to the government. But the CPI(M) is yet to endorse that line. Karat said, "We will wait for the government response. Then, if the government goes ahead, we will decide our course of action accordingly." After the politburo meet, Karat also had a discussion with Forward Bloc boss Debabrat Biswas. After talking to Karat, Biswas told Business Standard, "The PM is standing on the lakshman rekha. If he moves forward he will be responsible for the consequences."

Last night, Singh had invited West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee for dinner where Mukherjee was also present. CPI -M sources said the PM offered some peace-formula.

The government wanted to assure the Left that they will make efforts to secure alternative mechanisms of fuel supply if US terminates the deal. Bhattacharya and Yechuri both spoke along these lines in today's meeting. However, according to party sources, Karat and others didn't agree to it.

Leftspeak

Threatens serious consequences

Claims government does not have majority support

Congress reacts

Core group holds meeting but no decision

UPA allies could meet tomorrow