Date:28/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/28/stories/2007082855861200.htm

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CPI(M) reiterates its position

Vinay Kumar

— Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan flanked by Gurudas Dasgupta (left) and D. Raja after meeting Congress leaders at the residence of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi on Monday to discuss the nuclear deal.

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday reiterated the positions taken on the India-U.S. civilian nuclear deal by its Polit Bureau and Central Committee but indicated that further discussions with senior Congress leaders on the issue could lead to setting up a mechanism or committee to address concerns and objections raised by the Left parties.

“This was only first round of discussions with the Congress leaders. There will be more discussions with other Left parties over the next couple of days,” Sitaram Yechury, Polit Bureau member, told reporters in his brief remarks. It is clear from available indications that a mechanism to address concerns of the Left parties could be in place by this month-end.

Both he and CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat held discussions on the deal with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee for nearly an hour. Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Ahmed Patel, political secretary to the Congress president, were also present.

Asked about the nature and composition of the proposed mechanism or committee, Mr. Yechury said that it would be a “political one” and experts could also be invited to it to express their views.

Last Sunday, it was during the Yechury-Mukherjee meeting that the suggestion of evolving a mechanism to evaluate the implications of the Hyde Act on India’s sovereignty and independent foreign policy had come up.