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UNPA seeks expert opinion on nuclear deal

— Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

EXPLAINING THEIR STAND: United National Progressive Alliance leaders (from left) Amar Singh, Om Prakash Chautala, Mulayam Singh and Chandrababu Naidu address a press conference after holding a meeting in New Delhi on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: The United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) on Thursday decided to take expert opinion on the civilian nuclear deal with the United States and maintained that there was no question of supporting it without a national debate.

Briefing journalists after a crucial meeting of the UNPA here, Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh said the UNPA was of the considered opinion that the clarification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Wednesday on the points raised by his party’s leadership during a meeting with National Security Adviser M. K. Narayanan should be studied by an expert of indisputable repute. SP chief Mulayam Singh will select the expert.

Stating that he did not expect such a quick response from the PMO, Mr. Amar Singh reiterated the demand for a national debate on the deal.

For his part, Indian National Lok Dal leader Om Prakash Chauthala expressed dissatisfaction with the PMO’s clarification but said the UNPA wanted a second opinion on it from experts.

Admitting to differences within the UNPA on the nuclear deal, Mr. Mulayam Singh asserted that all the constituents were united and would move forward together.

After the meeting, Mr. Mulayam Singh, Mr. Amar Singh and Samajwadi Party member of the Lok Sabha Ram Gopal Yadav met the former President, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, to discuss the deal.

Putting up a show of unity by holding hands ahead of the press conference, the general refrain of the UNPA leaders was: “We are one and the UNPA is strong like a rock.” While the leadership was one in demanding a national debate, none was prepared to commit themselves to a time frame. All that Mr. Chauthala said to repeated questions was that there was no question of issuing a “go-ahead” certificate to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ahead of the G-8 meeting in Japan next week.

On reports of the Samajwadi Party joining forces with the Congress, Mr. Chauthala said: “All of us have been accused of hobnobbing with one party or the other outside the UNPA. None of us is going anywhere.”

Mr. Amar Singh said there was no bar on interaction between political adversaries and such meetings did not mean loss of identity for any party.

Thursday’s meeting was convened by Mr. Mulayam Singh after his 39 members in the Lok Sabha became crucial for the survival of the United Progressive Alliance government if the Left parties withdraw support.

PTI reports:

Mr. Amar Singh said, “Communalism is a bigger danger than nuclear danger. I said it yesterday. I repeat it today.”

Asked about his party’s stand on support to the government on the deal, Mr. Amar Singh said: “why should the UNPA spell out its strategy when the government and the Left parties are yet to divorce.”

Mr. Chautala said the UNPA would not give “any certificate” for the deal before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh goes to Japan.

“The Prime Minister will not get any certificate from us about our support before July 6. There are concerns which need to be addressed. There should be a national debate. Till we are satisfied, we will never support the government on the deal,” he said.

“It is not an issue [the nuclear deal] just for the government and Parliament alone. The whole country should debate it. The Prime Minister should explain to the nation what the deal is,” Mr. Chautala said.

“Who will initiate the debate,” Mr. Naidu was asked and he said the Prime Minister should start it.

Mr. Amar Singh said his party did not demand removal of Union Ministers P Chidambaram and Murli Deora in return for its support to the government but added it was for the UPA to decide whether to retain the Ministers who were responsible for the rise in prices of essential commodities and petroleum products.

Mr. Amar Singh said the UNPA’s stand on inflation remained the same.

“Whether it is inflation, farmers’ suicide or hike in fuel prices, the UNPA will continue to oppose these. There is no question of a compromise on these issues. The UNPA has not deviated from its stand on these issues,” he said.

Referring to National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah’s absence from the meeting, Mr. Chautala said he could not come due to the Jammu and Kashmir bandh.

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