IANS

New Delhi, Jul 8: With the Left parties all set to withdraw their support to the Congress-led ruling coalition, the government is likely to seek convening of parliament's special session by July 21 to prove its majority.

According to government sources, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is preparing to face a floor test during the session that is likely to begin on July 21. The session will be short, only for moving the trust vote and also to take up immediate business.

Another session of parliament, which could serve as a combination of monsoon and winter sessions, is likely to be convened two months later, they said.

The Left Front has been threatening to withdraw its crucial support to the UPA government if it went ahead with the India-US nuclear deal by approaching the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for an India-specific safegaurds pact.

However, the Congress-led government was emboldened after the Samajwadi party declared its support for the nuclear deal.

As the IAEA Board of Governors is likely to meet on July 28, the government wants to approach the UN atomic watchdog after proving its majority on the floor of the house, the sources said.

Speaking to accompanying mediapersons on board Air India One on his way to Japan to attend the G-8 summit, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said his government was committed to the nuclear deal in "national interest" and would approach the IAEA.

His statement further provoked the four Left parties, which were set to decide on withdrawing the support after their meeting at 11.30 am on Tuesday. They were also likely to meet President Pratibha Patil soon after that, with a letter formally announcing their decision, Left sources said.