Punjab Cong asks Badal to convince BJP of US nuclear deal

Chandigarh, Oct 19 (UNI) Supporting the Indo-US Nuclear Agreement, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) has urged Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to convince the BJP, his alliance partner at the national level to see logic and support the UPA government on the nuclear issue.

Noting the support extended by Mr Badal to the nuclear agreement, PPCC member and MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira on behalf of the state Congress chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal said that Punjab being one of the most progressive states would benefit the most from nuclear energy.

Mr Badal should reason with the BJP which is out to destabilize the UPA government to capture power without honestly measuring the merits and demerits of the nuclear deal, he said while addressing mediapersons here.

Mr Khaira pointed out that Punjab was generating 6000 MW of power while the demand is more than 11,000 MW particularly in the peak agricultural season. This extra demand is met through purchase agreements with power surplus states which is highly expensive, he added.

Even the initiative of the present government in Punjab to have coal based thermal plants at Talwandi Sabo and Goindwal Sahib would be four times more expensive than nuclear plants and would also add to environmental hazards, he opined.

In this context the Congress party in Punjab whole heartedly supports the Indo-US nuclear agreement and in the same breath condemns those parties that are opposing this vital treaty, be it the Communist parties or the BJP, he said. " It is also heartening to note that the Akali Dal lead by Mr Prakash Singh Badal for the first time is toeing and supporting the line of UPA lead government", he added.

Therefore, at this crucial juncture, there is great need of a genuine consensus amongst all political parties, regional or national to understand that this deal is in the larger interests of the nation, Mr Khaira said.

UNI