Cong supports stand on N-deal; uncertain about future

Guwahati, Jun 27 (UNI) The Congress today supported Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's stand on the nuclear deal, but said it was unsure of the future.

Addressing a press conference after taking stock of Congress' ground position, Veerapa Moily, who is also the party's in-charge of Assam affairs, said, ''As of today there is no early election but I cannot say what will be the position tomorrow.'' Asked if the Left was withdrawing its support to the UPA government over the nuclear deal, he said, ''Unless the Left withdraws from the joint mechanism, we can't say they have left.

We have no dispute on the common minimum programme.'' The Congress spokesman said despite a clear CWC resolution and Cabinet decision, the Congress was dithering only to take every political party on board for the nuclear deal.

''There is no politics. This is a deal which will change the face of the economy and open many vistas. If we cannot push the deal through, the posterity will never forgive us. India needs the deal for its populace,'' Mr Moily asserted.

He said the Left might have some point that was why the Congress was still giving time to them, going through a joint mechanism for the nuclear deal.

He, however, warned the Left parties that their political agenda of keeping communal forces away from power would not be served if they opposed the deal.

''If they (Left) think their political agenda would be served, they are wrong. Their agenda was to keep the communal party away (from power). Are they serving that interest?'' Mr Moily asked.

He said, ''We are not mandated to bring nuclear energy from the US, the deal only opens the door. The nuclear deal will make India a very youthful country for the next two decades,'' he observed.

Asked whether Dr Singh was upset with the delay in the deal's progress, the AICC leader said, ''Any Prime Minister will be unhappy when it involves an agreement of such nature. Everything is on our terms. It is not the agenda of the Congress, but of the country. Commitment of the UPA on national agenda is very clear.'' He, however, expressed his ignorance on whether the Prime Minister will attend the G8 summit next month.

Accusing the BJP for ''its selfish political agenda'', he said it was enjoying the role of a spectator.

''It is a most irresponsible act. The n-deal was taken up by the BJP during the NDA government. Now what makes them withdraw?'' he wondered.

UNI MT PL SW VC1757