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Thursday, Oct 25, 2007
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UNPA not to insist on vote

Special Correspondent

But wants a discussion in Parliament

Chandrababu Naidu meets Bardhan, Yechury
Discusses state of economy with CPI

NEW DELHI: While pressing for a discussion in Parliament on the nuclear deal with the United States, the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) on Wednesday made it clear that it would not insist on the issue being put to vote.

“All we want is that the sense of the House should be taken first before proceeding any further with the deal,” UNPA convener and Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu told journalists.

Mr. Naidu said the discussion would allow all political parties to have a say. “Also, it would place on record individual party positions on the deal. And, if the majority view in Parliament is against the deal, the government should not proceed with it.”

An apprehension

As to whether a meaningful discussion was possible as the Bharatiya Janata Party did not allow one in the monsoon session though the government was prepared for it, he said: “Then, they will stand exposed.” However, this was an apprehension that the UNPA shared with the Left parties.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Naidu and several MPs from his party went to the Communist Party of India headquarters and met its general secretary A.B. Bardhan and national secretary D. Raja. Mr. Naidu informed them of the UNPA decision to adopt a common approach with the Left parties in Parliament on the nuclear deal.

Mr. Naidu also met CPI (M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury.

About his meetings with the Left leaders, the TDP leader said: “It is not anything new: I always meet them when I am in Delhi.”

As for the status of the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa vis-À-vis the UNPA, Mr. Naidu said she was part of the coalition as of date.

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