The Hindu : National : Reports of support to UPA kite-flying, says Amar Singh

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 24, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

Reports of support to UPA kite-flying, says Amar Singh

New Delhi: The Samajwadi Party on Monday said its opposition to the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal could not change overnight. The party dismissed as “kite-flying” reports that it had assured backing to the UPA government in the event of the Left withdrawing support on the issue.

“I have stated earlier also that my knowledge of the nuclear deal is based on newspaper reports and on the Left parties’ briefings. Based on this, we have taken a stated position on the deal in and outside Parliament. To change the position overnight will not be possible, unless new facts are given on it,” SP general secretary Amar Singh said.

Mr. Singh, whose party is being seen by some as one which could come to the rescue of the UPA government in Lok Sabha arithmetic, told NDTV that the SP had never said it was ready to have a re-look at the deal.

“Not in group”

“[The] government has never discussed anything with us formally even today. Comrade [Prakash] Karat and government, they are in touch ... UPA and Left, Laluji, Sharad Pawarji and Comrade Karat, they are part of their official government set-up ... As far as SP is concerned, we are not in the group.”

Reacting to media reports that the SP might bail out the Congress-led government, Mr. Singh said: “I am seeing all kite-flying in newspapers. I was surprised and astonished to see it ... Nobody from the Congress has contacted me.” Asked whether early elections were on the cards, Mr. Singh said, “It seems so but I don’t think it may happen... each time there is an impending danger, there is a truce with the Left.”

Asked about a scenario of the UPA seeking the SP’s support for the nuclear deal in Parliament, Mr. Singh said his party was part of the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) “and it would not be prudent on our part to submit anything publicly.”

As soon as he returned from the U.S., a meeting of the UNPA would be held to discuss the political situation, he said. “Let me talk to my UNPA allies ... and Left leaders, then I will be able to say about my point of view in a more serious manner.”

Mr. Singh said he was in touch with Mr. Karat and denied there were any differences between the two parties. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National