Sonia's latest message to party gives deal a miss

NEW LIFE FOR NUCLEAR DEAL

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has avoided reference to the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement in her monthly chat with party workers.

In the latest issue of Congress Sandesh, the party mouthpiece, Gandhi has focussed on social and agriculture sectors.

This is in dramatic contrast to the last month's issue, in which a signed letter to party workers not only acknowledged the Congress' ownership of the deal but also emphasised it was "good for the country".

The party's latest stand could be aimed at averting a standoff with the Left parties. Last month, Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made significant remarks on the collision with the Left aimed at defusing the tension between the two.

A few weeks later, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat showered praises on the prime minister in an interview.