BJP to Left: Stand up and be counted

Asked if the move implied an end to the joint exploration of a common meeting ground on the issue by Yaswant Sinha BJP, Sitaram Yechury CPI-M, Amar Singh SP and Digvijay Singh JD-U, sources in the BJP said it was not exactly so. They pointed out that a resolution was possible only if the Government agreed to it. 8216;8216;Since time is running out, we have to move fast and place on record our opposition to the agreement, which would cap our nuclear programme and bind us to the same conditions as the CTBT,8217;8217; they said.

Malhotra maintained that irrespective of its public positioning, the Left would not go against the Government. In any case, they have an opportunity to demonstrate where they stand, he added. The NDA delegation to Kalam tomorrow evening would be led by former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Meanwhile, a two-member Left delegation will visit Lebanon to express solidarity with the people there fighting the Israeli attacks, CPI said today. The delegation will comprise Mohammad Salim CPIM And Aziz Pasha CPI, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said. The Left also demanded that the government send a medical mission to Lebanon.