Amidst conflicting reports about the party's stand, veteran Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Jyoti Basu on Saturday ruled out any "compromise" with the government over the Indo-US nuclear deal.
"We cannot compromise. Let us see what the Congress does and then we shall take a decision," Basu, attending the CPI-M's central committee meeting, told newsmen when asked whether the party would take the 'extreme step' or compromise on the nuclear deal.
The CPI-M patriarch's comments come amidst reports that leaders from Bengal were opposed to the "hardline" view of the central leadership on the nuclear deal with the US and that they were opposed to any withdrawal of support to the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre.
He said External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is also the convener of the UPA-Left committee on the nuclear agreement, had a telephonic discussion with him on Friday ahead of the October 5 meeting of the committee.
The committee will have another meeting later next month, Basu said.
CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat has submitted a report before the central committee on the issue, Basu said adding, it was being discussed.
While the politburo discussed the issue on Friday, the central committee began three-day deliberations on Saturday.
