Left parties withdraw support to UPA government

The Left parties on Tuesday announced withdrawal of support to the UPA over the Indo-US nuclear deal.

After an hour-long meeting, the leaders of CPM, CPI, Forward Bloc and RSP parties decided to meet President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday to submit their letter of withdrawal of support. They will also ask the President to direct the Prime Minister to seek a trust vote to prove majority in the Lok Sabha.

Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee on said the UPA government will approach IAEA on the Indo-US nuclear deal after seeking vote of confidence in the Parliament. Mukherjee said though the monsoon session of the Parliament will begin from August 11, a brief session may be called for the vote of confidence. He said government will seek trust vote as soon as it receives formal communication from President Pratibha Patil.