In a suo motu statement on the deal, even as the SP and BJP members shouted slogans against the UPA government, Dr Singh asserted that the much criticised agreement did not in any way affect the country's right to conduct a nuclear test in the future.

''Let me reiterate once again that a decision to undertake a future nuclear test would be our sovereign decision, one that rests solely with the Government,'' Dr Singh assured MPs.

Both the Houses were later adjourned amidst pandemonium following Dr Singh's statement that touched off frenetic moves outside Parliament.

BJP leader L K Advani talked with CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat and was also in communication with several other leaders of the Left and other parties to persuade them for floor management in both Houses of Parliament during a debate on the nuclear issue.

The BJP has sought a discussion on the deal under rule 184 which entails voting. The Left, inspite of a walkout in the Lok Sabha today, is, however, content with the debate under rule 193 with the objective of seeking only a '' sense of the House.'' By not joining the opposition's protest and staging the walk-out, the Left reiterated their position that they would be opposing the deal in their own way. Their walk-out also demonstrated that they did not want to be clubbed with the BJP which had given a notice for debate on the deal under rule 184 entailing voting in the House.

The Left parties gave broad hints that they wanted to end the standoff with the Manmohan Singh government on the Indo-US nuclear deal.