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N-deal: Left rules out any compromise

By Onkar Singh in New Delhi
August 19, 2007 14:55 IST

Communist Party of India-Marxist politburo member Sitaram Yechuri, who met External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday morning to sort out differences regarding the India-United States civil nuclear energy co-operation deal, ruled out any compromise from the Left Front's side.

CPM general-secretary Prakash Karat had said that the government would have to face serious consequences if it went ahead with the nuclear deal.

N-deal: Read all the latest on the UPA-Left stand-off

"We have raised certain issues and let them respond to them. Let them set up a mechanism that will evaluate the impact of the Hyde Act on the Sovereignty of India and other related issues. Let them set up a mechanism and then we will respond to that," he told newsmen after the meeting.

Many in the Congress party saw this as a breather to the United Progressive Alliance government headed by Dr Manmohan Singh who has called a meeting of the UPA allies on Sunday evening to decide how to deal with the threat posed by the Left parties.

Speaking to rediff.com senior Left leader Nilopal Basu said the Left parties were not thinking in terms of a snap poll so far. "In our politburo meeting, we have raised many issues and the government must deal with them -- particularly the Hyde Act," he said.

He refused to comment when asked if the government is on its way out.

Onkar Singh in New Delhi

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