Buddha line may finally prevail

NEW DELHI: At the crucial two-day CPI(M) politburo meet beginning here on Friday, the party is unlikely to decide to withdraw support to the Centre over disagreement on the N-deal but may send out some grim messages to the government.

The differences are only "about how to put Manmohan Singh in his place," said a source, adding that ultimately the Buddho line (West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee) will prevail.

That means the UPA government is safe at least this year and the CPI(M) would not pull the rug. Though general secretary Prakash Karat is a hardliner, he has developed a rapport with Buddhadeb.

Left sources said they would consider other options like scaling down the support to the UPA.

Sources said the PM has invited Buddha for dinner on Friday night. Buddha and the PM share a good rapport.

Apart from the N-deal, the politburo will also review other political, social and economic issues. Some believe that 123 Agreement is not a fit issue to topple the UPA.

A senior leader said, “We need to club some aam admi issues on which we can withdraw support.” What is holding the comrades from taking any drastic step is the assessment that in the event of a snap poll, the Left tally in Parliament would plummet.