Govt stands up for N-deal, ready to take on Left

New Delhi: The Government, by postponing a meeting on the Indo-US nuclear deal, seems to be standing up to its Left Front allies.

Negotiations between the two sides have gone nowhere despite months of talks: the Left has been unwilling to end its opposition to the deal and now sources say the Prime Minister is unwilling to back down. The Government has decided to go ahead with the India specific safeguards agreements at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“There is a general acceptance of the nuclear deal across the length and breadth of the country. I don’t think this means the PM’s image is going down in any way. In fact, people will think here is a leader who is running a country and suggesting good things and trying to build a consensus. If others don’t go along it's they who have to think about their image,” said Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni.

But the government’s tough stand may just prove to be in vain: Washington wants New Delhi to speed up the deal and has set a deadline. "From now until January 20, we'll continue to work to support this agreement. We'll continue to encourage the Indian government to approve it. And if in such time it is approved, we will make every effort to move it through Congress," said State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey

The Left Front has said there is no change in its position. “The Government told us that Mukherjee has to be in a meeting with Syrian president, hence the postponement. Our opposition is to the 123 Agreement anchored in Hyde Act and any process that will enable the operationalisation of the deal (talks with the IAEA),” said CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury

It’s time for the endgame—the end of the Indo-US nuclear deal for the foreseeable future, or the end of the UPA government—as allies say they have been sounded out on early elections. It could all come to a head on June 25th- the date of the next UPA-left meeting.

Courtesy:ibnlive.com
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