The stand-off between the Left and the United Progressive Alliance government over the involvement of foreign experts in the Planning Commission took a serious turn with veteran CPI(M) leader Jyoti Basu on Friday launching a direct attack on Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, terming him a 'World Bank man.'

Speaking to reporters just before a crucial meeting of the CPI(M) here, Basu said: "He (Montek) is (doing) all wrong. He belongs to World Bank. He is a World Bank man."

Basu, however, slightly softened his stand later when he was asked while coming out of the meeting whether the Left wants Ahluwalia to resign from his post and hinted that the matter can be resolved through discussions.

"Why should he (Montek) resign. He should change his mind. He should discuss with us," the Left leader said.

Basu, who had a luncheon meeting with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi last Saturday, however, made it clear that the Left parties would not accept the foreign experts in Planning Commission and that the matter would be taken up at the Left Front-UPA coordination committee meeting immediately after the return of prime minister from New York.