The Hindu : National : Left will extend merit-based support: Raja

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Saturday, Aug 18, 2007
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Left will extend merit-based support: Raja

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Friday maintained that it would oppose the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal when a debate on the issue takes place in the Lok Sabha under Rule 193.

After a marathon five-hour meeting of the party’s national secretariat, which was also attended by the executive members, the CPI felt that the situation had become “untenable” at this juncture and stressed the need to redefine the Left parties’ relations with the United Progressive Alliance Government.

D. Raja, the party’s national secretary and Rajya Sabha member, told The Hindu that the four Left parties would meet next week to collectively decide upon extending “merit-based support” to the Government.

The national secretariat meeting did not view the Indo-US nuclear deal as an isolated case which had happened all of a sudden. “The deal is the culmination of the UPA government’s drift from the stated position of the Common Minimum Programme. We will also review the performance of the Government on all fronts,” Mr. Raja said.

He said the meeting reviewed other areas, such as foreign, economic and domestic policies. “Support of the Left parties to the UPA Government cannot be taken for granted. The Left is a serious political force. In the case of the nuclear deal, we do not agree with the government.”

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