Nuclear deal: NDA to insist on debate under voting provisions

New Delhi, Sep 6 (UNI) A solution to the impasse in Parliament over the Indo-US nuclear deal seems ''distant'' with the NDA today deciding to press for a debate in both Houses under provisions which allow voting.

In separate briefings after the meetings of the BJP and the NDA, their Spokespersons V K Malhotra and Sushma Swaraj respectively told newspersons that the NDA ''regretted'' the government's attitude of avoiding a structured debate in Parliament on the nuclear issue. The government rather wanted the Opposition to engage in ''talks'' on a matter which concerned national interests and and security, they added.

''We are not falling into their trap...if there is no discussion under Rule 184 in the Lok Sabha and Rule 168 in the Rajya Sabha, there will be no proceedings in the Houses,'' Ms Swaraj said.

She said in the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition would seek an opportunity for Leader of Opposition Jaswant Singh to speak on the issue. ''He was denied permission to talk on the issue yesterday,'' she added.

Both the meetings, presided over by Leader of the Opposition L K Advani, regretted the stand taken by the Government which ''preferred a private arrangement to address the grievances of the ruling UPA rather than the genuine concerns of the country''.

The NDA would reiterate its demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee on the deal and later a threadbare discussion in Parliament on the JPC's report. ''The 15-member private mechanism of the UPA should be scrapped,'' the leaders said.

The BJP meeting was held at the Parliament Annexe while the NDA meeting was held at Mr Advani's chambers in Parliament House.

UNI