Left Front allies undecided on timing of pullout

The confusion on the timing was evident when CPI general secretary A B Bardhan did a flip-flop this morning. He first told reporters that there was no point in waiting till the Government actually takes the step of going forward with the deal as all signs are pointing in the direction that the UPA has decided to go ahead with it.

However, soon after his meeting with CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, Bardhan said the Left would make a “fool of themselves” if the parties withdraw support before a formal statement from the Government is issued declaring its intentions to go ahead with the deal.

The confusion seems to be whether the Left parties should withdraw support before the Prime Minister leaves for the G-8 summit in Japan on July 7, where he is scheduled to meet US President George W Bush and could discuss the deal, or should they wait for his return.

Another line of thinking is that reducing the Government into a minority before the Prime Minister leaves for Japan would undermine his legitimacy to push the deal during his meeting with Bush.

Sources in the CPI(M) said the Left parties at the July 4 meeting, are likely to ask the Government to clearly state whether it intends to approach the nuclear watchdog, a demand which could put the Government in a bind ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit.

They could also give a time limit to the Government to make public its intention, a senior leader said. Any announcement on the Government’s decision to proceeding with the deal would result in withdrawal of Left support and that would come as an embarrassment for Manmohan Singh as he proceeds to Japan.

While the CPI(M) formally decided to withdraw support if the UPA Government goes to the IAEA, the top decision making bodies of other Left parties — CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc — are expected to take a similar stand at their meetings tomorrow.

Ahead of the meetings, Bardhan and senior leader D Raja met Karat...