NCP hopes of an early solution to nuke deal stand-off

Mumbai, Sep 28 (UNI) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), an ally of the Congress at the Centre and Maharashtra, today expressed confidence of an early solution to the Indo-US nuclear deal stand-off, given the ''democratic debate'' within the CPM and Left in general over the present political situation.

Addressing a press conference here, NCP national spokesman D P Tripathi said seniormost CPM leader Jyoti Basu has stressed the need to avoid an early election. Even CPM general secretary Prakash Karat has not demanded scrapping of the 123 agreement nor has talked about reversal of the deal. Mr Karat said the Left has doubts about the Hyde act, Mr Tripathi said.

Mr Tripathi also did not think that the present stand off was an ''ego clash'' between Mr Karat and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

''Infact, Dr Singh asserted himself for the first time,'' Mr Tripathi said when asked if the present stand off was a result of the Prime Minister daring the Left to withdraw support during an interview to a Kolkata-based newspaper.

He maintained that the Left's stand on the nuclear deal had been a cause of concern and put a question mark on the stability of the Central government. But, even in the CPM there is no unanimity on the issue. Responding to a question, Mr Tripathi said his party supports the nuke deal because apart from meeting energy needs, it facilitates India's emergence as a global power.

''We do not agree with the Left's stand opposing the deal as it is against the economic and political interests of the country. At the same time, it is wrong to say that the Left is acting against national nterest,'' he felt.

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