| CPM warns govt of 'serious consequences' |
| BS Reporter / New Delhi August 18, 2007 |
| It was a choice between saving the government or the Indo-US Civil Nuclear nuclear agreement for the UPA government as the CPI(M) today threatened "serious consequences:" for the government if it proceeded with the Indo-US 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. The four Left parties will also meet 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. After two days politburo meet, CPI(M) came out again with a strong statement and reiterated their 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." 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 |
