Congress, SP strike deal on 'nuke deal'

{image-nuke deal_04072008.jpg news.oneindia.in}New Delhi, Jul 4: After the Samajwadi Party's declaration of clear approval of the Indo-US Nuclear Deal, following a meeting with former President A P J Abdul Kalam, its leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to discuss the developments, and gave clear indication of having decided to back the Congress on the deal.

Talking to newspersons after the meeting, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav stopped short of saying that their party had taken final decision on the support to the Congress.Though Mr Amar Singh said the SP had not committed anything to the PM, Mr Yadav took special care to emphasise that national interest took precedence over their political interest, and after their meeting with Dr Kalam they were fully convinced that the deal was necessary for the energy security of the country.

The support of the SP with 39 MPs would be crucial in saving the UPA Government in case the Left allies parted company with the ruling alliance. Both the Congress and the Left have been trying to win over the SP to their side.

Mr Yadav said he would now meet UNPA allies and convey to them his party's approval of the Nuclear Deal.

UNI