NEW DELHI: Adding to the controversy over the India-United States nuclear deal, the National Democratic Alliance has virtually threatened that even if it were to go through, it would reject the accord. For, "such a deal cannot bind India in the future." The NDA suggested that the Government should not be allowed to go through with it.

In a memorandum to President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam — and posted on the Bharatiya Janata Party's web site on Wednesday — leaders of the BJP and the Janata Dal (United) said the "present Government cannot be allowed to cap our strategic programme" and "undo the work of the last 60 years." The memorandum expressed the apprehension that if the deal were to go through, scientists working in India's nuclear establishment would be exposed to "undue interference".

The June 20 letter was signed by leaders of only two parties — the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the leaders of the Opposition in Parliament, L.K. Advani and Jaswant Singh (all three of the BJP); and George Fernandes and Sharad Yadav of the JD (U) — although the NDA letterhead was used.

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