Support to Congress:Mulayam wants cabinet berths

The Samajwadi Party is moving closer to the Congress and the Shiv Sena is supporting the nuclear deal. After the ice-breaking meeting between SP leader Amar Singh and Mukherjee, RJD leader Lalu Prasad proclaimed openly that Mulayam Singh Yadav is with the UPA. “Sarkar bi rahega, deal bi chalega (The government will survive and so will the deal)”.

The SP is bargaining for Cabinet portfolios as the price of support to the government. SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, who arrived here from Lucknow, declared his party had no political enemies.

The CPI (M) said Prime Minister’s presence at the G-8 summit in Japan next week will be taken as an indication of the government’s intention to go ahead with the deal, and that would be a factor in their meeting on July 4 to decide on withdrawal of support to the UPA coalition.

According to Left sources, the moment Dr Singh goes to Japan, the Left parties will go to the President and give letters of withdrawal of support. They expect the government to approach the International Atomic Energy Agency between July 9 and 15 after Dr Singh returns from Japan.

The other non-Left parties will support the government because of convenience and not by conviction.