NDA rejects ''private committee'' on nuclear deal

New Delhi, Sep 5 (UNI) The NDA today made it clear that their demands for a JPC to go into the implications of the 123 Agreement must be heeded to, failing which they would not allow Parliament to function.

In a statement titled 'Indo-US Nuclear Agreement Hijacked' issued on behalf of the NDA, Leader of Opposition L K Advani said the NDA rejected the ''parochial and partisan committee set by the Government outside Parliament to examine fully the implications of both the Henry J. Hyde US-India Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006, and the commonly called 123 Nuclear Cooperation Agreement''.

Describing it as a ''deliberate and blatant violation of Parliament's rights, prerogatives and privileges'', Mr Advani said the setting up of a such a ''private committee'' was a total negation of the opposition's rights and role in Parliament.

''Besides, it trivialises the high importance of a vital national issue impacting on our national security and the country's strategic autonomy for the next half century,'' he said.

Mr Advani accused the government of having ''voluntarily'' handed over decision-making power to the CPI(M) and the Left.

The communists, he said, had been handed over power to decide the future of India but without any responsibility. That abdication by the Government of its responsibility was a betrayal of their oath, Mr Advani alleged.

UNI