Beleaguered UPA govt

Beleaguered UPA govt

Tile UPA Government led by Dr Manmohan Singh is heading for an uncertain future with stalemate on the Indo-US nuclear deal due to unrelenting opposition to the deal by the Left parties on one hand and the Prime Minister’s keen desire to complete its business with the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) for country’s credibility, soaring thirteen year high inflation of 11.05 per cent and withdrawal of support to the UPA government by Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party on the other. Dr Manmohan Singh has expressed his desire to quit if he could not carry the UPA alliance with him to negotiate the India-Specific safeguard with the IAEA,a necessary step to conclude the Indo-US nuclear deal. The Left parties have threatened to withdraw support to the Government in case the Government go ahead with negotiation with the IAEA in spite of its opposition to the move. The Left parties’ objection to the Indo-US nuclear deal was mainly on the ground that such a deal would lead to strategic partnership between India and US and tilt India’s foreign policy towards US whereas the UPA Government and the top nuclear scientists feel that Indo-US nuclear deal was essential for ending India’s nuclear isolation and meet India’s future requirement of energy through nuclear power plants. Even China and Russia have entered into such 123 agreements. The Left parties have made it known that their stand is non-negotiable and they would withdraw support if the UPA Government proceeds with IAEA negotiation.Desperate attempts by the UPA allies like the NCP,RJD,DMK to break the impasse and save the UPA Government from falling, are going on in New Delhi. Mayawati’s withdrawal of support would not reduce the UPA alliance to a minority at present. The Samajwadi Party led by Mulayam Singh Yadav is inching closer to the Congress and likely to fill the gap with 39 MPs.Except the BJP,no other political party would like to have election sooner than scheduled. The CPI(M) general secretary,Prakash Karat has met the DMK leader M.Karunanidhi and requested him to mediate and resolve the impasse.The veteran politician did not want any disruption in the unity among UPA allies that would help communal forces. All the allies of the UPA are against election when the inflation has crossed two digits and likely to move up further prices of essential commodities beyond the reach of common people. They are pressing Sonia Gandhi to save the situation by advising the Prime Minister to go slow with the IAEA.The crucial UPA-Left coordination meeting to be held today will show whether reconciliation of the irreconcilable has taken place or the country goes to early polls. Source: assam tribune editorial