No threat to Govt if deal not pursued: CPM

“We have given a long rope to the Government. They only need to continue with the UPA-Left committee, which will automatically mean the deal is not being operationalised, which is our only demand. We are not demanding or expecting any statements on delaying the deal. Such demands will only destabilise the Government, which is not our intention,” the leader said.

The Hyderabad party congress that took place after the UPA Government was formed in 2004 had explained its position on the Congress and regional parties as follows: “The CPI(M) decided to extend support to the Congress-led alliance, the UPA, to form a Government to ensure that there is a secular Government at the Centre. The formation of a third alternative will materialise only when there is a change in the stand of the political parties which are today either with the Congress or the BJP. Most of the regional parties adhere to liberalisation-privatisation. Without effecting a change in the outlook of these political parties, it will not be possible to go towards the formation of an alternative political combination.”

The Politburo member said the political situation in the country had not changed sufficiently for the CPI(M) to revise this position “unless the Congress insists on the deal”. He pointed out that most of the UPA allies were supporting the deal and it was only opposing it to the extent as to save the Government. The CPI(M), however, feels that the debate within the Congress on the deal is not settled yet. Karat’s repeated statements on not destabilising the Government are “an attempt to convey that we have no other agenda than stalling the nuclear deal, in case that helps the Congress to arrive at a decision”.

He said the November 16 meeting of the UPA-Left coordination committee would be crucial since the Government’s mind will be known. “If the Government decides to proceed to the IAEA, the committee will wind up and make a report of its findings saying we agreed to disagree for such and such reasons. But both sides have interests in making it a cordial parting of ways. If the committee decides to meet again, it will be read as the deal is delayed and the Government will run as usual,” the leader said.

He, however, said it had been said in as many words to “the Congress and each UPA ally separately” that if the Government goes to IAEA, the “Left will go to the President and withdraw support”.