UPA govt would not fall if Left withdraws support: CPI

The CPI has indicated that in the event of the Left withdrawing support to the UPA government over the Indo-US nuclear deal, the outside supporters would not bring it down. The CPI General Secretary, A B Bardhan, however evaded direct replies to questions on whether the Left would move a no-confidence motion or support one moved by BJP against the government.

"That we will think at that time," he said when asked whether the Left would move such a motion. Asked whether they would support one moved by BJP, he said "I don't think anything of that sort will happen. If the government is reduced to a minority, I think it will dissolve the House."

In an interview to Karan Thapar on his programme 'Devil's Advocate', the CPI leader said if the Left withdrew support, "whether the government is reduced to a minority and continues or not, it is for Parliament to see."

He said there was also a possibility before the government "whether it would dissolve Parliament and become a caretaker. In fact, (US Assistant Secretary of State Richard) Boucher has suggested that to the government."

"Will this minority government go ahead and sign an international deal? That is the crux of the matter," Bardhan said. If it did so, then the government would not only "lose confidence but also ethos and morality." He also referred to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's statement on whether a minority government would be able to sign such an agreement.