N-deal: Left-UPA panel meets today, headway unlikely

The Left will demand specific clarification on the status of negotiations with the IAEA on the India-specific safeguard agreement and will raise the next point in the terms of reference of the committee — broader foreign policy issues related to India’s growing proximity with the US.

Sources familiar with the developments said that discussions on the Hyde Act, 123 Agreement, India’s self-reliance in nuclear programme and projected benefits from the deal for India’s power sector will close tomorrow “without either side conceding an inch.” The Left assessment of the government position is that it is unwilling to go slow.

The next set of issues such as India’s defence framework agreements with US, India’s vote against Iran in the IAEA will only widen the schism. The Left will bring these to the table tomorrow.

What may be in store is stated in the editorial of the forthcoming issue of People’s Democracy, the CPI(M) mouthpiece. “Surely, no one can expect the CPI(M) to support this UPA government, which in violation of the CMP, is continuing to pursue the direction of India’s foreign policy that was begun in the first place by the BJP-led NDA government,” it states.

The editorial says under the present circumstances “Indian people simply do not have a choice. Both communalism and imperialism need to be fought against.”

“The CPI(M) and the other Left parties had extended outside support to this UPA government precisely to prevent the communal forces from holding the reins of State power. This support however, was based on the CMP,” it says.

“In fact an earlier draft of the CMP had contained a formulation that India would seek a strategic relationship with the US. With the objections correctly raised by the CPI(M), this was amended to read as follows: Independent foreign policy be pursued to promote multi-polarity in world relations and oppose all attempts at unilateralism. This is precisely what the CPI(M) is asking the government to adhere to,” says the People’s Democracy.

The internal debate in the CPI(M) on the desirability of toppling the government seems to be headed for such a scenario — unless the government climbs down. The hawks have tried to outmaneuver sceptics such as Jyoti Basu and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee who have argued against toppling the government.

The central committee resolution authorising the party politburo to take necessary steps to stop operationalisation of the deal can be interpreted in only way now — withdraw support if the government takes the next step.

On its part, the Congress thinks it will gain nothing by freezing the deal. The party believes it will only give the Left the advantage of choosing the time of the elections — because they can pull down the government on any pretext, any time. The Congress will also lose face irreparably if it were to relent.