Amarinder urges Badal to vote for nuclear deal

Patiala, July 15 (UNI) Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has urged State Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to rise above political considerations and depart from the stand taken by the NDA over the Indo-US nuclear deal in the country's interest.

Sources said that Capt Amarinder Singh had faxed a letter to this effect to the Chief Minister yesterday. Capt Singh said though he was aware it was difficult for Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to make a choice as it was a part of the NDA, yet it was time to put the nation's interest above all political considerations.

Asking Mr Badal to take a firm stand in the interest of the country and the state, he said that he had taken tough stand on the river water issue during his tenure as the chief minister.

He said that he also faced a similar situation on the river waters issue and added that the option before him was either to safeguard the interest of the people of Punjab or "to let my state and our people down." Capt Singh said that he had thereby " risked his job as Chief Minister and You are aware of it, I decided to defend the interest of Punjab." UNI XC VKJ VN2059