Nuke deal to be debated in Parliament: Pranab

Chennai, Aug 25 (UNI) The Indo-US civilian Nuclear deal issue will be fully debated in Parliament and the dates for the debate will be decided by the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said today.

Mr Mukherjee made the announcement while talking to the media, after inaugurating the third branch Secretariat of the Ministry of External Affairs here.

Asked whether there had been any progress on talks with the Left parties, which had been opposing the deal, he said he could not discuss the issue here.

''Parliament is in session. The whole issue will be fully debated in Parliament'', he said, and added that the dates for the debate would be decided by BAC.

''Discussions with political parties, including those supporting the government on the issue, are continuing'', he told a questioner.

On the options before the government in the wake of Left parties categorically stating that the deal should not be operationalised, Mr Mukherjee said ''Just wait and see on the options.'' Asked whether the Centre would seek the support of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on the issue, he said any inter-action and support of the partners of the UPA is always welcome.

UNI