'Power lust' stopping left from pulling down UPA govt: BJP

Varanasi, Aug 19 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today held the ''lust for power'' responsible for the left parties' reluctance in withdrawing support from the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government at the Centre.

''By not withdrawing support from the UPA government with which they have irreconcilable differences over the 123 Indo-US nuke deal, the left parties have once again proved they are ready to overlook the national interest for power,'' BJP national vice-president Kalyan Singh told newspersons here.

Accusing Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh of ''misleading'' the country over the deal, Mr Singh said the recent statements by the State Department of the Bush Administration were enough to prove that India's nuclear capability, especially its power to conduct nuclear tests, would be seriously undermined.

''This deal will mean that even our key policies, including foreign policy, will be dictated by the US, resulting in our country becoming a blind follower of the Bush administration,'' the former UP CM alleged.

Claiming that a major part of the parliament is averse to the 123 nuke deal, Mr Singh said the left parties, however, have exposed their double standards once again.

''While on one hand, the CPI(M) Politbureau is challenging the PM to choose between the nuke deal and his government, the Communist Party MPs are doing their best to save the UPA regime from defeat on the floor of the parliament.'' He also lashed out at the PM for raising the baseless issue of ''havan for his death being organised by the BJP.'' ''Being in the PM's chair, Dr Singh should have maintained the dignity of the post, by staying away from making statements, which lack foundation,'' the BJP leader noted.

UNI