Date:22/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/10/22/stories/2007102251520300.htm

Back N-deal: UPA-Left meeting today

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Oct. 21 A crucial meeting of the UPA-Left Committee on the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal is slated to take place here on Monday.

The meeting comes close on the heels of last week’s statement from the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, indicating that the deal could be put on the backburner to keep the coalition at the Centre afloat.

The meeting, to be chaired by the External Affairs Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, is likely to be the last of a series of continuing deliberations by the panel, which was set up to allay Left parties’ apprehensions over the deal.

Allies’ demand

Allies of the Government are expected to demand a clear statement to the effect that the nuclear deal has been put off.