Scalded, Centre puts off UPA-Left meet on n-deal

The date of the next meeting has not been finalised.

Though the Government is citing technical reasons for finalising the deal, the Left feels it is the “Karnataka effect”.

Talking to The Indian Express, CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury confirmed that the meeting had been called off. “The next date has not been finalised,” he said. Interestingly, Yechury had on Sunday said it was high time the UPA changed its policies and drew up a “priority” plan.

CPI national secretary D Raja also confirmed the cancellation of the meeting. “Pranab Mukherjee’s office called up and told us that the meeting has been cancelled. They have not cited any reason for the cancellation of the meeting,” Raja said.

When asked about the reasons, Raja said: “They may have realised that this is not the right time to pursue the nuclear deal.”

RSP general secretary Chandrachoodan is of the view that the Government might have realised that they have lesser elbow space now after the recent political developments. “For the Congress, the nuclear deal had been more important than the issue of inflation and now they have learnt a lesson. The Government might have sensed that pressing for the deal would backfire or it may have lost its stamina for backing the deal after the recent political developments.”

CPM general secretray Prakash Karat on Monday came out strongly against the Government by saying that the result of the Karnataka Assembly polls was a reflection of the loss of credibility of the Congress party as well as the UPA Government’s performance at the Centre.