Congress toughens stand on N-deal,Moily uncertain about future

Guwahati, Jun 27 (UNI) Toughening its stand on the nuclear deal, the Congress today threw its weight behind Prime Minister Manmohan Singh but said it was unsure of the future.

Addressing a news conference Congress spokesman Veerapa Moily said, ''As of today there is no early election but I cannot say what will be the position tomorrow.'' Asked if the Left was withdrawing its support to the UPA-led coalition over the n-deal, he said, ''unless the Left withdraws from the joint mechanism, we can't say they have left. We have no dispute on the common minimum programme.'' He said despite a clear CWC resolution and Cabinet decision, the Congress was dithering only to take every political party on board for the Indo-US deal.

''There is no politics. This is a deal which will change the face of the economy and open many vistas. If we cannot push the deal through, the posterity will never forgive us. India needs the deal for its populace,'' Mr Moily asserted.

He maintained that the Left might have some point that was why the Congress was still giving time to them, going through a joint mechanism for the nuclear deal.

He, however, warned the Left parties that their political agenda of keeping communal forces away from power would not be served if they opposed the deal.

''If they (Left) think their political agenda would be served, they are wrong. Their agenda was to keep the communal party away (from power). Are they serving that interest?'' asked Mr Moily.

He said, ''We are not mandated to bring nuclear energy from USA, the deal only opens the door. The nuclear deal will make India a very youthful country for the next two decades,'' he observed.

Asked whether Dr Manmohan Singh was upset with the delay in the deal's progress, the AICC leader said, ''Any PM will be unhappy when it involves an agreement of such nature. Everything is on our terms.

It is not the agenda of the Congress, but of the country. Commitment of the UPA on national agenda is very clear.'' He, however, expressed his ignorance on whether the Prime Minister will attend the G8 summit next month.

Accusing the BJP for ''its selfish political agenda'', he said it was enjoying the role of a spectator.

''It is a most irresponsible act. The n-deal was taken up by the BJP during the NDA government. Now what makes them withdraw?'' he wondered.

The party's in-charge of Assam affairs said he was here to take stock of Congress' ground position.

UNI MT PL DB1709