BJP opposed to nuclear deal in its present form

New Delhi, Jun 11 (UNI) The BJP today reiterated that it was opposed to the Indo-US nuclear treaty in its present form and said the national interest would be the lone factor that would bring pressure on the party to support the deal.

Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu when asked about the party's stance on the nuclear deal between the two countries said if the government is serious in seeing the deal through it should have consulted the political parties and then proceeded to the US for signing the deal. What was happening here was totally different.

The PM had discussed the deal with the US and it was ridiculous for him to expect the Opposition parties to extend their support to his actions. He should first convince UPA's own supporting parties, particularly the CPI-M, instead of blaming the Opposition parties, he said.

It is important for any government to discuss the issues of national importance with the political parties instead of making it some sort of fait accompli.

Answering a question about Gujarat Chief Minister's comments that he did not expect any support from the Centre, Mr Naidu said it was his way of complaining against step motherly treatment meted out to the non-Congress states, particularly Gujarat. As far as BJP was concerned, they had understood him properly and there was no confusion, he said.

UNI MCN/KAS AKJ HT1900