RSP pulls out of 'defunct' Left-UPA panel

However, the RSP's Central Committee decided to continue taking part in the UPA-Left committee on the Indo-US nuclear deal. Reacting to the move, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat told Business Standard that the committee had in any case not been working for the last one-and-a-half years.

RSP General Secretary T Chandrachoodan said the move was aimed at pressuring other Left parties to consider support to the UPA government.

But the RSP's announcement created amusement. "One-and-a-half years ago, we collectively decided not to attend the UPA-Left co-ordination committee. What is the use of withdrawing now", said a senior CPI(M) leader.

Justifying its stand to attend the meetings of the nuclear deal panel, RSP member of Parliament Abani Roy said, "We want to stop the deal, so we will attend the meetings."