IAEA talks: CPI-M warns of mid-term poll

In a fresh ultimatum, the CPI(M) has threatened mid-term polls to Lok Sabha if the government goes ahead with IAEA talks beyond December.

In comments to the Delhi CPI(M) meeting on Saturday accessed by a channel, CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat said the party did not want to disturb the present arrangement at the Centre because of Gujarat polls.

"We don't want the BJP to benefit from the fall of the government (at the Centre), but we don't want them to carry on with IAEA talks beyond December. When they come back from talks now, that is enough. But if the government goes ahead with the talks, then it should be prepared for mid-term polls," he said.

This is the first time that the CPI(M), which along with other Left parties, is strongly opposing the Indo-US nuclear deal, has clearly set the deadline for the government and made it explicitly clear what the consequences would be if it goes ahead with the deal.