UNPA stands united, SP still unclear on support to UPA

New Delhi, July 3 : The United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) leaders have claimed here today that they 'still stands united' on all issues after their meeting.

The UNPA meeting was attended by Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, party general secretary Amar Singh, Telugu Desam Party Chief N Chandrababu Naidu, Indian National Lok Dal leader Om Prakash Chautala and B Goswami of the Asom Gana Parishad.

Leaders of the UNPA met here to decide the future of the third front, and also which way the Samajwadi Party (SP) would go in the event of voting in the Parliament over the Indo-US civillian nuclear deal.

After the meeting Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav told presspersons that UNPA leaders would consult scientists on the Indo-US nuclear deal.

SP General Secretary Amar Singh said: "UNPA is united on all the issues. However, we will hold more discussions on the nuclear deal."

"We will put forward the clarification of the Prime Minister as well as the sub-text of the nuclear deal before a trusted expert," Singh said.

Singh also rubbished rumours that the SP has demanded the removal of Union Finance Ministers P. Chidambaram and Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora, in lieu of support to the nuclear deal.

"The SP still differs with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government on the issues of inflation and fuel price hike," Singh said and added that his party's struggle would continue against the rising prices.

Chandrababu Naidu told reporters that UNPA stands united on all issues.

The INLD leader, Chautala while speaking to mediapersons said that the UNPA is not satisfied with the Prime Minister's reply on the nuclear deal and will consult experts.

The UPA Government had on Wednesday given special briefing to the SP leaders Amar Singh and Ram Gopal Yadav on the nuclear deal to address their concerns over the agreement.

Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party still seems undecided on its support to the Government on the nuclear deal.

ANI