Don't approach IAEA before panel decides on deal: Karat

CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat has asked the government not to approach the IAEA on the Indo-US nuclear deal till the UPA-Left committee comes out with its findings, warning that if it does so, his party will take steps to stall it. The committee will discuss the impact of the Hyde Act on the nuclear deal.

"The government was planning to approach the IAEA in September. Usually, September is the time the IAEA conducts most of its business. The CPI(M)'s firm stand is that the government should not approach the IAEA before the Hyde Act panel comes out with its report. If the government takes any follow-up action on the deal, all steps to stall it will be taken," Karat told the CPI(M)'s organ in Malayalam, "Deshabhimani.

The joint statement issued after the UPA-Left meeting made it clear that any further step would be taken only after getting the report of the panel set up to study the Hyde Act, he said.

The CPI(M) would come out with an open letter to all MPs explaining why the party was opposing the nuclear deal, he said.