Cong backtracks, says Sonia didn't mean to target Left

BACK OFF: Sonia at a rally in Haryana had said the opponents of the N-deal are the enemies of development.

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Keywords: Sonia Gandhi, Left

New Delhi: Hours after this statement by Sonia Gandhi that those opposing the nuclear deal are against the country's development drew a sharp response from the Left, the Congress got into damage control mode by issuing a clarification.

“Those who are opposing electricity are enemies of the country's development. They should be given a befitting reply,” Sonia said while addressing a public meeting at Jhajjar in Haryana.

Now the Congress is saying that Sonia’s comments were not meant to target the Left, and that she was speaking in the context of Haryana.

Earlier the Left was quick to respond accusing the Congress of precipitating the crisis.

"Congress is trying to precipitate the election and they are simply imposing the election on people. If that is the case we are ready for it,” said General Secretary, CPI, A B Bardhan.

But the Congress clarification may not be enough to control the fission. The Prime Minister at an Iftar party on Saturday had it made it clear that the Left's discomfort notwithstanding International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohammed El Baradei will be a welcome and an hounoured guest.

Infact sources say Tuesday's nuclear panel meeting is crucial. The government may formally convey to the Left its inability to hold off negotiations with the IAEA any longer.

El Baradei is arriving in India on Tuesday. And the Government is expected to approach the IAEA anytime after October 17.

So the Congress backtracking on Sonia Gandhi's remarks may only delay what many are calling an inevitable mid-term poll, but it's the party that does not want to be seen as the one hastening the collapse of the Government.

(With inputs from Smita Nair in New Delhi)