CPI(M) warns govt of withdrawal of support

NEW DELHI: The CPI(M) on Thursday warned the UPA government of withdrawal of support if it went ahead with operationalising the Indo-US nuclear deal as its Central Committee authorised the top leadership to take 'appropriate decision at an appropriate time' to block the agreement.

At the end of the two-day meeting, senior party leaders said on grounds of anonymity that a strong message was being sent to the Congress-led coalition that the 123 agreement should not be operationalised without addressing the major concerns expressed by the Left parties.

"We will withdraw support to the government if it goes ahead with operationalising the agreement. The Central Committee has endorsed the stand of the Politburo in this regard and authorised it to take an appropriate decision at an appropriate time," the leaders said, emerging out of the two-day meeting which started on Wednesday.

The Left parties, which would now closely follow Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar's visit to Vienna to attend the IAEA's General Assembly, have made it clear that they have no objection on him attending the meet as a member of the IAEA Board.

Their ground for objection is that during this meeting, Kakodkar should not begin formal negotiations on a safeguards agreement with the United Nations' watchdog body on the basis of the 123 agreement.

The Central Committee resolution fully endorsed the stand taken by the Politburo that the bilateral agreement will bind India into a strategic alliance with the US with long-term consequences.

It also considered the nuclear deal as it existed, subject to provisions of the Hyde Act which are binding on the US administration.

The Central Committee noted the various objections and apprehensions voiced by scientists, public figures and intelligentsia on the nuclear deal. Above all, it is a fact that the majority of Members of Parliament are opposed to the agreement, the resolution said.

"This alone should make the government pause and not proceed further with the next steps to be taken to operationalise the deal.

"It is incumbent on the government, which commands a majority in Parliament only with the support of the Left parties, to heed the voices of opposition. It should examine the objections and clear the implications of the Hyde Act," it said.

Asked if the Left parties are withdrawing support, Karat said, "I told you we have asked the government to pause, examine the objections, allay the apprehensions about the implications of the Hyde Act and heed the voice of Parliament and the Opposition".

To another question whether they were prepared to bring the government down if the deal is operationalised, he said if the government does so, "The responsibility for the future of the government will lie with the government".

Asked if they were ready for elections now, Karat said they have not discussed elections in the Central Committee meeting.

To another question as to what were the options before the Left parties, he said, "Well, that we will discuss when it happens. I hope it doesn't happen".

Queried whether the party was open for working out details if the government was ready, he said they were ready provided the government did not take the next step in the agreement.

"We are prepared for any ... we have already said three days ago that we are prepared to consider any mechanism or committee to examine all the problems connected with this agreement provided they don't proceed with the next step," the CPI(M) leader said.

To a question about government talking to members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), he said, "We are aware of that and since the Japanese Prime Minister is here, I am sure the Prime Minister would have talked about that. We don't expect him not to do that".

On the IAEA meeting in September, he said, "We know that we are members of the IAEA Board. Our representatives will attend the international annual conference. All these are normal things. We are not going into all these. We are not flustered by such things.

"It is expected. We expect them to be there. We have to have Indian representatives there."

Asked to comment on the Prime Minister's statement that if winter is there, can spring be far behind, Karat said "I hope there will be no nuclear fission and we will have a long nuclear winter."

Replying to questions, Karat said they would give the government time as long as it does not proceed with the next step to operationalise the agreement.

"That would depend upon the Committee or the mechanism looking into all the problems and objections and clear them."

He said the Left parties were not in a hurry and welcomed a debate in Parliament. "That will again reaffirm what we are saying that the agreement does not have majority support in Parliament."

Asked whether there would be any serious consequences (to the government), Karat said "that is what our party Central Committee has fully authorised the Politburo to take whatever steps are necessary."

To another question, he said the party did not use the words it would withdraw support.

"We have not used the word withdraw support in any of our statements. You won't see a single leader of the CPI(M) either in Delhi, or in Kolkata or in Hyderabad having said we will withdraw support. Our Politburo has not given such a statement."

Asked if withdrawal of support was not mentioned in the party statements, then what was the meaning of the threat of serious consequences, Karat said "we will decide when the operationalisation of the agreement takes place. Then we will decide."

The CPI(M) and the Left parties have decided to conduct a campaign from September 4-8 all over the country to protest the joint naval exercises between Indian and the US navies.

The Left parties have already decided to carry out two 'jathas' from Kolkata and Chennai to coincide with the exercise. The Central Committee also decided that the party must conduct its own campaign till mid-September.