Mayawati fears nuclear deal will hamper relation with Iran

New Delhi, July 21 : Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief Mayawati today asked the UPA Government to suspend the Indo-US nuclear deal for the time being.

Addressing a press conference here, Mayawati said: "The Government should not make the deal a prestige issue. They should suspend the deal for the time being. Elections are near. Let the next government take a decision on it.

She said the deal would also "hamper" the USD 7.4 billion Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project as the US was acting against Tehran in a "dangerous" manner.

"The whole world have to face the consequences of a nuclear war between US and Iran and the blame for which will fall on the UPA government if it goes ahead with the deal," she added.

When asked whether the Government has enough numbers to topple the UPA, she said, "wait till tomorrow, you will come to know."

Holding the UPA and Congress "guilty" for going ahead with the deal, she said New Delhi should assert itself for a permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.

ANI