CPI(M) Politburo member M K Pandhe asked Yadav to ‘think twice’ before deciding to support the nuclear deal as overwhelming number of Muslims, his party's perceived votebank, were against the agreement.

He said the SP chief, who enjoys a good relationship with the Left parties, will have to give a lot of explanation if he decides to support the deal, one which he has opposed earlier.

"Mulayam will have to think twice before supporting the deal as an overwhelming majority of Muslims are not in favour of the deal. Mulayam's support is much more among Muslim masses," he told reporters in New Delhi.

He was responding to a question about speculation that the Uttar Pradesh-based party was cosying up to Congress to support the deal, which was strongly opposed by the Left.

Noting that such reports were ‘no doubt’ a serious development, Pandhe said, "He will have to explain it to people how suddenly he has become a supporter of the deal. He has been very strongly opposing the deal."

The role of the 39-member strong party in Lok Sabha could be crucial in a trial of strength if Left allies withdraw support to the deal.