NEW DELHI: Initiating steps to broad-base the campaign on the Iran nuclear issue and increase pressure on the Manmohan Singh Government, ahead of the March 6 meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) held discussions with the Samajwadi Party here on Saturday.

The SP, which like the Left supports the United Progressive Alliance Government from outside, has backed the Left stand on Iran.

The SP chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav on arrival from Lucknow drove down to the CPI (M) party office for a 30-minute meeting with its general secretary Prakash Karat.

First step

The meeting was the first step taken by the CPI (M) after its Polit Bureau announced in Kolkata that it would seek the support of other parties within and outside the UPA and forge joint platforms on Iran, Foreign Direct Investment in retail trade and other contentious issues.

It was also held in the backdrop of the Telugu Desam Party offering support to the SP on its proposed no confidence motion in the coming Parliament session. The TDP's offer came after a meeting between its chief, N. Chandrababu Naidu and Mr. Yadav in Lucknow. However, it is understood, that the SP would take a view on this after a discussion at its parliamentary party meeting.

Mr. Karat told correspondents that there was complete understanding with the SP on various issues, including Iran and opposition to the visit of U.S. President George Bush next month.

Full-fledged discussion

He said the plan was to have a full-fledged discussion in Parliament on the Iran issue ahead of the March 6 IAEA meeting.

"This would determine what Parliament feels and if, even after this, the Government goes ahead [and votes against Iran] we will see how to express our disapproval in Parliament... ''

The SP president said there was need for a non-Congress, non-BJP political alternative. While the Bharatiya Janata Party was keen on pushing the Hindutva agenda, the Congress was taking decisions that went against the interests of the people.

Retail trade will be hit

Mr. Yadav said that opening up of the retail sector would hit hard thousands of small traders.

Earlier, in Lucknow the TDP joined the attack against the UPA Government for opposing Iran's nuclear programme. Mr. Naidu said the Manmohan Singh Government had acted against the spirit of non-alignment.

"India is a big and secular nation... supporting the United States' policy under pressure is not a good omen for the country politically,'' Mr. Naidu was quoted by agencies as saying after the meeting with the SP president.

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