Even as the CPI demanded that whatever happens on the IAEA front, “formally or informally” must be reported to the UPA-Left committee on the nuclear deal, a two-day meeting of the CPI(M) politburo, which ended here on Monday, reiterated the stand of the Left parties that the “Government should not proceed further to operationalise” the deal.

“The politburo discussed the developments regarding the Indo-US nuclear deal since the last Central Committee meeting. It reiterated the stand of the Left parties that the Government should not proceed further to operationalise the deal. There has to be a discussion on the deal in the coming session of Parliament”, a statement issued by CPM said.

General secretary Prakash Karat, however, said that “something” will come out of the next meeting of the UPA-Left committee, though he doesn’t see the possibility of a “consensus as of today.”

CPI general secretary A B Bardhan said the “the Government should inform the UPA-Left committee, whatever happens regarding the discussions on the nuclear front the Government undertakes, formally or informally, especially with the IAEA.”

Talking to The Indian Express, Bardhan refuted as saying that it (UPA-Left committee) will consider allowing the Centre to go to the IAEA for a safeguards agreement on the nuclear deal as long as no agreement was signed before clearing it with the Left.

Addressing reporters, Karat hoped that the next meeting of the committee will “sort out” the issue of the nuclear deal. When pointed out that both the Left and the Government are remaining adamant on the issue, showing no signs of a common ground, Karat quipped: “Left has a stand. So is the Government, and nobody is adamant as we have been meeting and discussing the issue.”

... contd.