Deve Gowda criticises Nuclear Deal with United States

Sirsi (Karnataka) Sept 4 (UNI) Former Prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) national president Mr H D Deve Gowda, has strongly opposed the Indo-United States Nuclear co-operation deal and squarely blamed both Bharatiya Janata Party and Left parties responsible for it.

Speaking to newsmen Mr Deve Gowda opined that had both Left parties and BJP made their stand clear before the deal was being persuaded by the UPA government the present situation on Indo-US deal would not have occurred.

"Both the BJP and the Left parties which were opposing the Indo-US deal now should have stalled the deal in its initial stage itself" he said.

Stating that the present Indo-US nuclear deal would undermine the independence of the nuclear programmes of the country Mr Gowda however said that the UPA government has agreed to constitute a review committee before finalising the deal. "Let us wait for its outcome" he said.

Replying to questions Mr Gowda informed that his party will fight the coming local urban-bodies elections on its own. Stating that party woll maintain maintain equidistance both from BJP and Congress Mr Gowda said that JD(S) has fought the earlier Panchayath elections on its own strength without going to have alliance with any other political parties. On the appointment of Mr Mirajuddin Patel as the new party unit president in the state Mr Gowda informed that all rank and file of the party have welcomed the decision.

UNI