Consider Left Front’s opposition before deciding on N-deal: Basu

Kolkata, March 4 Former chief minister Jyoti Basu has said the UPA government should consider the Left’s opposition before taking any decision on the Indo-US nuclear deal. He said this while replying to queries on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of the new building of the Animal Husbandry department.

Basu’s remark followed a statement by Union External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in Parliament and one by the CPM politburo. On Monday, the CPM had said the government should not operationalise the deal and that there was no scope for separation of the Hyde Act and the 123 Agreement.

“The government should see what the Left parties are saying. They should heed to our opposition,” Basu said.

He, however, hinted that there is no immediate threat to the UPA government. When asked whether the Left will withdraw support in case the UPA government moves ahead with the deal, Basu said: “We will decide then what to do.”