Congress, CPM not keen to hasten Lok Sabha polls
While the Congress leadership and the Left remain committed to their conflicting positions on the government approaching the IAEA, both sides also appear not keen to hasten Lok Sabha polls, even if their formal parting of ways appears inevitable.
By CL Manoj, ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: While the Congress leadership and the Left remain committed to their conflicting positions on the government approaching the IAEA, both sides also appear not keen to hasten Lok Sabha polls, even if their formal parting of ways appears inevitable.
After the Congress core team meeting on Wednesday night following the unproductive UPA-Left session, informed party sources reiterated the Sonia Gandhi-led high command���s total backing to the prime minister in the resolve to approach the IAEA. There may be many nervous party MPs and out-of-loop Congress functionaries airing their ���confusion���, but the leadership, sources say, is unflinching in its support for the deal.
At the same time, the party leadership is also clear that once it has to formally break off with the Left over the IAEA issue, it is politically determined to make all efforts to ensure that the UPA government retains majority support on the floor of the Lok Sabha so that it can legitimately pursue the efforts to clinch the nuclear deal in its finality before opting for polls. It is equally important that the Congress and its poll-wary allies be in a position, even without the Left on their side, to decide on the poll timing that would suit them most.
On the other hand, the CPM-led Left is also equally determined that their cohabitation with the UPA will have to end if the latter goes to the IAEA. As to whether the Left, after a formal separation from the UPA, would go to the extent of voting against the Manmohan Singh regime on the nuclear deal on the floor of the Lok Sabha in the company of the ���communal BJP���, the answer from the Left quarters is a clear ���yes���. In fact, ever since the beginning of the nuclear stand-off, Prakash Karat has been constantly justifying such a stand on the ground that the CPM (as also other Left parties too) considers ���communalism��� and ���imperialism��� as equal dangers that need to be fought alike.
Similarly, the Congress leadership thinks its break with the Left would be futile if the Manmohan Singh regime doesn���t last long enough to clinch the deal and then opt for the most suitable poll timing. The Congress leadership thinks a November-December poll, along with Assembly polls in four Northern states, could be a credible time-table to try and achieve both goals. With a shared compulsion to avoid immediate Lok Sabha polls, parties are exploring several options. A Congress-SP understanding, many think, could be the best way out to manage the numbers in Lok Sabha.
Given the slippery nature of the Congress-SP deal-making, some believe that the UPA regime may seek some tactical ���parliamentary device��� before it goes to the IAEA, to reinforce its position in the Lok Sabha. But these are initial ideas, but what is sure is that both the UPA and Left are keen to ensure a ���working space��� even after their separation.
After the Congress core team meeting on Wednesday night following the unproductive UPA-Left session, informed party sources reiterated the Sonia Gandhi-led high command���s total backing to the prime minister in the resolve to approach the IAEA. There may be many nervous party MPs and out-of-loop Congress functionaries airing their ���confusion���, but the leadership, sources say, is unflinching in its support for the deal.
At the same time, the party leadership is also clear that once it has to formally break off with the Left over the IAEA issue, it is politically determined to make all efforts to ensure that the UPA government retains majority support on the floor of the Lok Sabha so that it can legitimately pursue the efforts to clinch the nuclear deal in its finality before opting for polls. It is equally important that the Congress and its poll-wary allies be in a position, even without the Left on their side, to decide on the poll timing that would suit them most.
On the other hand, the CPM-led Left is also equally determined that their cohabitation with the UPA will have to end if the latter goes to the IAEA. As to whether the Left, after a formal separation from the UPA, would go to the extent of voting against the Manmohan Singh regime on the nuclear deal on the floor of the Lok Sabha in the company of the ���communal BJP���, the answer from the Left quarters is a clear ���yes���. In fact, ever since the beginning of the nuclear stand-off, Prakash Karat has been constantly justifying such a stand on the ground that the CPM (as also other Left parties too) considers ���communalism��� and ���imperialism��� as equal dangers that need to be fought alike.
Similarly, the Congress leadership thinks its break with the Left would be futile if the Manmohan Singh regime doesn���t last long enough to clinch the deal and then opt for the most suitable poll timing. The Congress leadership thinks a November-December poll, along with Assembly polls in four Northern states, could be a credible time-table to try and achieve both goals. With a shared compulsion to avoid immediate Lok Sabha polls, parties are exploring several options. A Congress-SP understanding, many think, could be the best way out to manage the numbers in Lok Sabha.
Given the slippery nature of the Congress-SP deal-making, some believe that the UPA regime may seek some tactical ���parliamentary device��� before it goes to the IAEA, to reinforce its position in the Lok Sabha. But these are initial ideas, but what is sure is that both the UPA and Left are keen to ensure a ���working space��� even after their separation.
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