BJP to seek voting on nuke deal in Parliament

Ranchi, Aug 11 (UNI) Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi today criticised the Indo-US 123 agreement for nuclear energy cooperation, saying the party would demand voting on the deal in Parliament.

Mr Joshi said it would be seen by all as the Left parties, which were equally decrying the deal, could go to what length in supporting the BJP on the issue.

The former BJP president said the deal was struck at the cost of sovereignty.

Mr Joshi came here in connection with felicitation of former Gujarat Governor and party veteran Kailash Pati Mishra.

Later talking to reporters, Mr Joshi also mentioned the reported ''pact'' with the United States regarding agricultural sector and demanded that the pact be made public in greater interest.

With the ''secret pact'', he said for seeds India would have to depend on the USA too.

Expressing concern over such deal, he said the farmers were kept in darkness and it would not augur well for the community as agriculture sector was the major player in the country's economy.

The Left parties were also demanding the pact be made public as the government had not yet disclosed anything about it.

Many senior party leaders from Bihar, Gujarat and Rajasthan took part in the function, which also includd former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda and other state party leaders.

UNI