Date:05/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/05/stories/2008070560081800.htm

National

SP turnaround will not alter UNPA opposition to nuclear deal

Anita Joshua

NEW DELHI: Despite anticipating a bid by the Samajwadi Party to bail out the Congress, its partners in the United National Progressive Alliance were evidently unprepared for the turnaround the SP leadership did less than 24 hours after pledging the party’s commitment to the year-old grouping.

Responding to questions at a press conference in Rajahmundry, UNPA convener and Telugu Desam Party leader N. Chandrababu Naidu said he needed time to study the situation. However, TDP spokesman M.V. Mysoora Reddy said the UNPA would move on irrespective of individual partners’ actions motivated by political compulsions in their States. The UNPA is here to stay and would stick to its decision of opposing the India-U.S. nuclear deal.

Describing the SP’sdecision to support the deal as “unfortunate,” Asom Gana Parishad leader Brindavan Goswami said his party remained committed to the UNPA and its opposition to the deal. The SP had not contacted him or other UNPA leaders to inform them of the change in stance.

The Indian National Lok Dal leadership remained inaccessible though sources said the party had been given to understand that the SP wanted to meet other UNPA leaders on Saturday.

SP chief Mulayam Singh, soon after meeting the Prime Minister, said he would speak to other UNPA leaders. But they had not been contacted.

Babulal Marandi of the Jharkhand Vikas Manch told The Hindu that no one had expected SP to change its position overnight.

“At yesterday’s [Thursday’s] meeting, the SP gave clear indications that it wanted to align with the Congress because of compulsions specific to Uttar Pradesh politics. But, we had not anticipated such a quick turnaround,” Mr. Marandi said.

Omar Abdullah, president of the NC, another UNPA constituent, said in Srinagar: “This has been in the pipeline ever since SP leaders attended the dinner hosted by the government on the fourth anniversary of the United Progressive Alliance. The UNPA will come apart bit by bit.”