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Monday, Aug 06, 2007
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BJP: clear the air on 123 deal

Special Correspondent

Seeks debate in Parliament

BJP president addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

BHUBANESWAR: Bharatiya Janata Party’s national president Rajnath Singh on Sunday demanded that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government clarify as to whether the 123 agreement would affect

the country’s sovereignty.

At a press conference held at the headquarters of the party’s Orissa unit here, Mr. Singh said the BJP would not allow the UPA Government to curtail the country’s nuclear weapons policy and sovereignty.

Mr. Singh said before signing the final nuclear deal with the US, the UPA Government should ensure protection of the country’s nuclear policy and sovereignty.

“The agreement should be discussed thoroughly in Parliament,” the BJP president observed.

Naxal issue

With regard to growth of naxalism in different parts of the country, Mr. Singh blamed the UPA government “for giving little priority to internal security.”

The Centre should extend special economic packages to the 15 States which were witnessing the spread of the Left wing extremism, he added.

Troop deployment

Speaking about Jammu Kashmir, the BJP president said the Centre should never plan to withdraw or cut down security forces in the valley. He expressed apprehension that Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf might create disturbances on the border with a view to diverting the people’s attention in his country.

Terming the UPA Government ‘anti-farmer,’ Mr. Singh said the BJP would organise a massive rally outside Parliament on August 20 to highlight the plight of farmers.

A large number of farmers from different parts of the country would participate in the rally, he said.

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