BJP happy at discomfiture in UPA regarding nuke deal

New Delhi, Oct 23 (UNI) The BJP today did not hide its glee at the discomfiture in the United Progressive Alliance regarding the impasse on the Indo-US nuke deal and said the country needs to ponder if a ''sad man'' like Prime Minister Manmohan Singh can lead a resurgent nation.

BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitley, in a statement, said yesterday the nation witnessed a ''pathetic spectacle'' where the PMO informed a section of the media that the Prime Minister was ''pained and embarrassed'' over the way the UPA allies had voiced their reservations in public over the nuclear deal after it had been cleared by the Cabinet in their presence.

The Congress later informed the country the Prime Minister would not resign, he said.

Mr Jaitley's statement came at a time when the ruling UPA is said to be buckling under on the nuclear deal in the face of strident opposition from the supporting Left parties and allies who do not want to face a mid-term poll if the stand-off leads to the collapse of the government.

He said the recent developments had thrown up several important questions in the minds of the people. The government is paralysed by its ''internal contradictions'' and has not taken any significant decisions in the recent months.

''All these events had thrown up a question if a sad and helpless Prime Minister can lead India?'' Mr Jaitley added ''India is a growing, youthful and resurgent nation. It needs an enthusiastic leader who is decisive and can take decisions to implement them.

Dr Singh displayed his state of mind when he spoke of 'living with disappointments', which was also a typical condolence message.

He or his office did not do any favour to the nation by projecting him as a 'helpless leader','' Mr Jaitley regretted.

UNI