DEVIL'S ADVOCATE | A B BARDHAN
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48 hrs before talks, Left goes soft on N-deal
Published on Sat, Mar 15, 2008 at 08:21, Updated on Sat, Mar 15, 2008 at 17:41 in India section
Tags: Nuclear Deal, CPI , New Delhi
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New Delhi: For the first time since the UPA and Left locked horns over the nuclear deal, the Left has indicated that the government need not stall talks with the Nuclear Suppliers Group. This comes just before the crucial UPA-Left discussions on the Indo-US nuclear deal on March 17.
The Left is not really threatening to enforce a closure right after the talks are completed with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
In an interview with CNN-IBN, CPI Secretary General A B Bardhan opened a small window where dialogue could be taken to the next stage with the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Excerpts from the interview:-
Karan Thapar: Suppose the government says to you what I am saying today — let this process carry on to the point at which the NSG waiver is done?
A B Bardhan: Okay let the government give a statement like that.
Karan Thapar: If it does, is there room in you to accept it?
A B Bardhan: If it says that it is not going to accept the Hyde Act, it is not going to accept the 123 agreement…
Karan Thapar: But let us go to the NSG.
A B Bardhan: Let us hear it. I’ll not answer a hypothetical question.
Karan Thapar: But there is room here for concession if they say this?
A B Bardhan: If they say that, what is our problem? If they say we are not going ahead with the deal what is our problem!
If the Left relents then India can try to get a nod from the NSG countries to get its supply of nuclear fuel from countries like Russia, France and China. It can stop short of inking the final 123 agreement with the United States. In fact, in the interview, Bardhan sounded even more politically flexible.
Karan Thapar: Is withdrawal of support the same as bringing the government down?
A B Bardhan: We withdraw our support whether the government is reduced to a minority and continues or not. It is for parliament to see. Whether at that time the government itself decides, you see, to dissolve parliament and become a caretaker is also there.
Karan Thapar:You will withdraw support if the government goes ahead with the deal, will you, at that point, move a vote of no-confidence against the government in parliament?
A B Bardhan: You see a vote of no-confidence can get through only if the BJP also supports it, isn't it?
It's a clear indication the Left is worried about bringing down a secular government. And that anxiety can allow the Manmohan government to carry forward the nuclear talks a little further.
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