CPI-M not impressed by PM's assurance

The Communist Party of India – Marxist is not impressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's assurance that the government would come to the Parliament before operationalising the India-United States nuclear agreement.

"There is nothing new (in the Prime Minister's assurance). But our politburo stand is very clear," CPI-M General Secretary Prakash Karat told reporters soon after Singh made the remarks.

The politburo, at its meeting on Sunday, decided that the party will withdraw support to the government as soon as steps are initiated to implement the nuclear deal.

Singh told journalists on Monday that he was seeking a nod to go to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers' Group and after all processes are completed, he would come back to Parliament to get its approval, before operationalising the agreement.

"The PM has said there is nothing new in the Left stand, we are saying there is nothing new in the PM's stand," CPI-M politburo member Sitram Yechury said reacting to Singh's comments.

He said the Prime Minister has time and again given statements about coming back to the Parliament after completing the processes like signing the safeguards agreement with IAEA, getting the waiver from NSG and endorsement by the US Congress.

"But at that time, it will be more difficult to stop the agreement. They will say the whole world is in favour of the deal," Yechury said.

He said the government and Left have divergent views on the issue. "If they move ahead formally to sign the safeguards agreement with IAEA, we will then implement our politburo decision to withdraw support," he said, adding they would see what the government does.