The Hindu : National : RSP questions relevance of ‘mechanism’

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Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007
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National

RSP questions relevance of ‘mechanism’

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: With the two major Left parties — CPI (M) and CPI — willing to consider the Government proposal for setting up a committee or mechanism to iron out differences over the Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear deal, the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) on Tuesday questioned the suggestion of having such a body when the party was opposed to the deal.

After a 30-minute meeting with top Congress leaders including External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, RSP leader and MP Abani Roy said that differences could remain even after the formation of the committee. However, he said that he would discuss the matter with his party leadership and convey the decision to them. “Besides the nuclear issue, we are opposed to the government on its performance in the domestic front too,” he said.

“Political”

Forward Bloc General Secretary Debabrata Biswas, who separately met the Congress leadership including A.K. Antony and Ahmed Patel, favoured his party joining such a committee as the perceptions on the nuclear deal were “political” and had to be resolved politically.

Mr. Biswas said that no dates have yet been fixed for a meeting between the UPA coalition and Left leaders on the matter. Mr. Biswas said the nuclear deal impasse should be settled “politically.” Asked whether the Forward Bloc would like to be part of the committee, he replied in the affirmative. While there was no word from the Congress, the FB leaders insisted that the proposed mechanism should to go into issues arising out of the Hyde Act and the 123 agreement.

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