Kolkata, September 28
The CPM politburo, which met at the Alimuddin Street Party office today and debated over eight hours on the nuclear deal, was sharply divided on the question of the withdrawal of support from the UPA and the snap poll in the Lok Sabha.

The meeting was held in two different sessions. Out of the total 17 members, 12 attended today’s crucial meeting. The two suspended members from Kerala, party secretary Pinarayi Vijayan and state Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan were absent.

After the meeting CITU president M.K. Pande said there were difference of opinion on the question of the withdrawal of support. But he hoped a consensus could be reached at the central committee meeting.

Party sources said Basu advocated the necessity of the nuclear deal for the state's future industrial needs and other development activities. He was strongly opposed to the immediate fall of the UPA government and a snap poll as the situation was not ripe for the CPM for facing it. Moreover, if a secular government fell following withdrawal of their support, it would send wrong signals to people. The BJP and other communal forces would benefit with the fall of the government now.

Basu was widely supported by the Bengal Chief Minister and the Tripura Chief Minister. Party secretary in Bengal Biman Bose supported Basu but he wanted a compromise formula for settling the differences and if it failed then the support be withdrawn.

Sitaram Yechuri also stressed on a compromise formula than to immediately pulling out from the government.

But Prakash Karat and other hardliners strongly argued in favour of withdrawal of support since the government was determined to carry out the deal at the cost of the country's sovereignty.

Karat reportedly suggested that the support be withdrawn than to become a party in a deal of selling out the country to the US. But they would not vote on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha (if it was moved), which would ensure the survival of the UPA government in minority for some more time.

Brinda Karat, R. Umanath, Ramchandra Pillai and Pande supported Karat's proposal. But they all agreed that before finally pulling out from the government, the UPA leadership should be given a week's time to reconsider their decision on the nuclear deal and dispel their apprehensions on its effect on the country's sovereignty and economy.