NEW DELHI, 24 January 2008 — The left allies of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government have criticized New Delhi for trying to clinch a nuclear deal with the US and promote ties with Israel.

Communist Party of India General-Secretary A.B. Bardhan said yesterday: “I don’t think the government can go ahead (with the deal) like that.

“The left is determined not to allow the government sign the 123 Agreement,” Bardhan said.

Bardhan, however, ruled out the possibility of midterm polls because of the standoff. “I think there will be no midterm elections. The elections will be held on schedule,” he said.

Earlier, Prakash Karat, general secretary of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) said the fate of the deal would be decided by the UPA-left committee. “It (deal) has gone to the International Atomic Energy Agency. It will come back to the committee we have set up. When that comes we will see,” Karat said.

Left parties have also objected to India’s increasing “collaboration” with Israel. India launched, from its territory, a 300-kg hi-tech Tecsar reconnaissance satellite of Israel into orbit on Monday. The launch using the proven four-stage Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) was executed under a commercial contract between the Antrix Corporation, Isro’ commercial arm, and the Israel Aircraft Industries.

Lashing out at the UPA for allowing the launch of the Israeli satellite, the left criticized the government for remaining silent on Israeli blockade of Gaza Strip. In a statement, the CPI-M Polit Bureau accused the government of “collaborating” with Israel against India’s traditional friends.

“The UPA government is maintaining a shameful silence on this criminal blockade by Israel and instead collaborating with Israel to enhance its military capability. The launch of an Israeli satellite from Sriharikota shows how India is aiding Israel militarily,” the CPI-M said. The Israeli satellite, according to the statement, “has the capability to track activities in Iran and the region.”

“The UPA government should demand an immediate end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip. It should call for an urgent Security Council session to discuss the matter,” the CPI-M said. The blockade violated “all international and humanitarian norms. Israel has been treating 1.5 million people of the Gaza Strip worse than a colonial power,” the party said.

“The United Nations should immediately intervene and take steps to penalize Israel and see that the blockade is lifted,” the statement added.