The meetings of US envoy Peter Burleigh with BJP leader L K Advani,TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and some other leaders just ahead of counting of votes has triggered a controversy with Left parties branding it as "brazen interference" in India's internal affairs. The strong reaction by Left parties came in the wake of reports that Burleigh had suggested to the TDP leader to ensure that Communist parties do not have any role to play in the next government as the US is worried about the future of civil nuclear deal and other aspects of strategic ties. "Reports suggest that parties are being advised whom to support and which government should be formed in India,etc. If this is the case,I think this is gross interference in our internal affairs," CPM Politburo member Sitaram Yechury told reporters in New Delhi. He said,"The US has revealed its character once again through its brazen interference in internal affairs of other independent countries. That cannot be tolerated." Yechury said he had "heard" that "TDP strongly condemned such suggestions. He was told with quite degree of certainty and unceremoniously not to interfere in India's internal affairs. That is the way it should be." "We strongly favour good friendly relations with the US but will not brook any interference in our internal affairs," the CPM leader said. CPI National Secretary D Raja also said no interference by any external power would be tolerated. "I must underline that no external power should try to interfere in our political affairs and no political party should give any room to external powers to meddle in our affairs." US Embassy has maintained that Burleigh's meetings with leaders here were as part of "routine consultations" and had nothing to do with political affairs of the country.
