Date:07/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/07/stories/2008090760680400.htm

New Delhi

Chandy commends Manmohan

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy on Saturday congratulated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in person soon after India secured the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) waiver.

Briefing mediapersons soon after his meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Chandy described the waiver as a great achievement for India. About the description of the deal as anti-minority and criticism that the government had surrendered the nation’s sovereignty and honour, Mr. Chandy was critical of the attempt to communalise it. “This is a purely developmental issue,” he said.

Asked whether the deal would help the Congress-led coalition in Kerala during the forthcoming elections, Mr. Chandy sidestepped the question.