'UNPA to meet Kalam for Nuclear deal'

{image-nuke deal_03072008.jpg news.oneindia.in}New Delhi, Jul 3: UNPA spokesperson and SP general secretary Amar Singh on Thursday, July 3, said that they will take a decison on nuclear deal only after dicussing it with experts and scientists. "We discussed the nuke deal with National Security Advisor MK Narayanan. Now we will discuss the matter with former president APJ Abdul Kalam and then decide our stand and there is no time limit for that," Amar Singh added.

Refusing to clear the air on UNPA's stand over the Indo-US nuclear deal, senior Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh said that the alliance partners are united and the decision on supporting UPA government over the deal will come only after discussions. In a joint press conference, senior leaders of UNPA leaders put to rest all speculation about a divide in the alliance. The address was also an attempt to keep Left in good humour despite varying political compulsions.

Talking to media, UNPA chairman and SP chief Mulayam Singh said, “UNPA will work together on all the issues. We had some doubts about the deal, but PM Manmohan Singh has clarified them. We will have more discussions…"

Answering a question about UNPA sinking its differences with UPA, Amar Singh clarified, “We have differences with the UPA government over price rise, inflation and other issues. We have not demanded the sacking of Oil minister Murli Deora and Finance Minister Chidambaram, but people should take responsibility of the situation. Our stand has not changed."

He also reiterated that communalism is a bigger threat than Indo-US nuclear deal.

INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala said, “We will not reveal our stand on the deal before July 6", clearly keeping his cards close to his heart. The PM will return to the country on July 6 after attending the G8 meet. Chautala also said that this is a matter of national debate and government should clarify all doubts before they could think of a change in stance.

However, all is not right with the UNPA as the other partners have started to sense that the SP will go with the Congress considering its political compulsions in UP. But, that may not be as easy for groups like the TDP and the AGP, as the political dynamics in their respective states warrants that they take the Congress as their principal adversary.

TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, who earlier had a meeting with Left leaders Prakash Karat and A B Bardhan, said that the UNPA was united and that they will decide whether to support the govt after a national debate is held on the issue.

With this announcement, the UNPA has increased the waiting for UPA, which has been banking on its support in case the Left pulls out over the deal.

OneIndia News