Date:05/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/05/stories/2006030504360800.htm

National

"U.S. deal no threat to Government"

Special Correspondent

Sitaram Yechury wants Centre not to vote against Iran

BANGALORE: Communist Party of India (Marxist) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury has said the India-United States nuclear agreement was not a serious issue to ``rock'' the United Progressive Alliance Government. But he warned the Centre against voting against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting.

He told reporters here on Saturday that "if the Centre does not address four apprehensions raised by the CPI (M), then it will have to think over it (continuing in the UPA)."

He said the Left Parties would take a decision on the future course of action after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh makes a statement in Parliament on U.S. President George W. Bush's visit to India and the agreements signed.

He asked the UPA Government not to make any move to implement the deal until the U.S. Congress amends the laws.

``The U.S. has adopted the carrot-and-stick approach to make India fall in line with its trade designs. The Centre should not abide by the nuclear deal till the U.S. Congress amended its laws in tune with the agreement. The group of 45 countries supplying nuclear material should also amend their laws to ensure nuclear disarmament.''

"Modi should quit"

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi should relinquish office immediately owning responsibility for the Godhra riots, following the ruling by the Justice U.C. Banerjee Commission that held that the fire in the Sabarmati Express was accidental. Mr. Yechury said the Union Government should order a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the major incidents in Gujarat that the Supreme Court had identified.