Nuclear deal not acceptable to BJP in the present form

New Delhi, Oct 29 (UNI) Giving an indication that it was not against a discussion on the Indo-US nuclear deal in Parliament, the BJP today said the agreement in its present form was not acceptable to the country and the party.

Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu said the deal was finalised by the UPA government without taking Parliament and the political parties into confidence. The BJP was not opposing this because of ideological reasons but in the interest of national security. He, however, avoided to answer whether the BJP would allow discussions if the debate were to take place under a provision which did not have a voting.

''The BJP wants India to have good relations with the United States but that did not mean sacrifice of national interests. India conducted Pokhran I and II tests and it should retain its right to conduct future tests also without jeopardising its interest.'' Asked if the BJP would allow discussions, he said the party was not against debating the issue in Parliament. Last time too, it was the Congress and Left parties which did not allow discussions.

UNI