Left reacts sharply to US envoy's meeting with pol leaders

New Delhi, May 14 (PTI) The meetings of US envoy Peter
Burleigh with BJP leader L K Advani, TDP chief N Chandrababu
Naidu and some other leaders just ahead of counting of votes
has triggered a controversy with Left parties branding it as
"brazen interference" in India's internal affairs.

The strong reaction by Left parties came in the wake of
reports that Burleigh had suggested to the Telugu Desam Party
(TDP) leader to ensure that Communist parties do not have any
role to play in the next government as the US is worried about
the future of civil nuclear deal and other aspects of
strategic ties.

"Reports suggest that parties are being advised whom to
support and which government should be formed in India, etc.
If this is the case, I think this is gross interference in our
internal affairs," Communist Party of India-Marxist Politburo
member Sitaram Yechury told reporters here.

He said, "The US has revealed its character once again
through its brazen interference in internal affairs of other
independent countries. That cannot be tolerated."

Yechury said he had "heard" that "TDP strongly condemned
such suggestions. He was told with quite degree of certainty
and unceremoniously not to interfere in India's internal
affairs. That is the way it should be."

"We strongly favour good friendly relations with the US
but will not brook any interference in our internal affairs,"
the CPI(M) leader said.

Communist Party of India National Secretary D Raja also
said no interference by any external power would be tolerated.
"I must underline that no external power should try to
interfere in our political affairs and no political party
should give any room to external powers to meddle in our
affairs."

US Embassy has maintained that Burleigh's meetings with
leaders here were as part of "routine consultations" and had
nothing to do with political affairs of the country. PTI ARC
DEP
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