The Hindu : Front Page : Sonia defends nuclear deal

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Monday, Oct 08, 2007
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Sonia defends nuclear deal

Calls opponents enemies of progress

Jhajjar (Haryana): Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday defended the India-U.S. nuclear deal and said that “elements” opposed to the country’s progress were enemies not only of the Congress but also of the nation.

“We must understand that such elements are not only the enemies of the Congress but they are also enemies of progress and development. We have to give them a strong and befitting reply,” she told a public meeting at Jharli village after laying the foundation of a power plant.

Ms. Gandhi said supply of power had to keep pace with that of development for which there is a high requirement of power in every part of the country. “We are trying at every level to meet our energy needs. That is why there is a proposal for nuclear agreement with the U.S.”

Reacting to Ms. Gandhi’s remarks, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury said: “We have been taking our view on the deal to the people openly. They (Congress) also have a right to do so. Let the people decide. There is nothing to take umbrage over her remarks. They (the Congress) are not questioning our integrity and we are also not doing so.”

CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan said: “The Congress is going into an election mode. It wants to impose an election on the country. It is the Congress which will be responsible if the government falls and an election is imposed on the country. We never said that we are withdrawing our support. We never said that we are going to pull you down.”

CPI secretary D. Raja said: “It appears that the Congress is forcing elections on the people.” — PTI

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