Left alone, opponents set to support Congress

SP KNOCKS OUT LEFT: The Left parties have realised their deadline holds no threat anymore.

Featured Blog

Rajdeep Sardesai

26/11: Terror comes precariously close

Featured Slideshows

New Delhi: Having set July 7 as the deadline for the Government to clarify whether it was going to the IAEA or not seems to be turning out to be a no deal for the Left. The Left parties have realised their deadline holds no threat anymore, with the Samajwadi Party stopping the Left in its tracks.

The Samajwadi party, by staging the biggest political U-turn of recent times, has given a safe passage to the Congress and the Indo-US nuclear deal. SP General Secretary, Amar Singh even officially announced their support, saying, "I will support the Congress hundred per cent on the deal."

The Prime Minister can now breathe easy as he gets set to fly out to Tokyo for the G8 summit. He is now basking in the glory of the staunch support of his party and the allies on the nuclear deal.

With the Left firmly isolated, all those opposed to them are now making common cause with the Congress.

Trinamool Congress Chief, Mamta Banerjee says, "The fact is that before going to polls, they have to critise the Congress-led Government for inlation and price rise. Well, it is their game only for six months."

Over the next 48 hours, the prospect of several other parties crossing over to the UPA camp cannot be ruled out. After all, it is not just the magic figure of 272 that these groups are looking for. They are also looking for a longer, stable alliance with the grand old party.

(With inputs from Mansi Sharma in New Delhi)