PM defends nuclear deal in Parliament
New Delhi, Aug. 13 (PTI): The controversial Indo-US nuclear deal was strongly defended on the floor of Parliament today by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, but he was unable to win over his angry Left allies who, for once, found themselves on the same side as BJP and other major Opposition parties.
Amid a constant chant of "shame, shame" and "deal wapas lo (scrap the deal)", Singh told the Lok Sabha that the country retained strategic autonomy and "sovereign" right to conduct a nuclear test, if needed, in national interest.
Reading from a prepared statement, he emphasised that India's independent foreign policy will remain unaffected by the nuclear deal, which has "mutual benefit" for the two "equal partners".
Sensing the schism in the ruling coalition, Leader of Opposition L K Advani telephoned CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat and sought his party's support for BJP's motion against the deal under a rule that entails voting. As the main opposition party, it was its duty to ensure floor coordination on the issue.
The CPI(M) sources said Karat told Advani that the Left parties would decide their strategy on their own.
Reflecting their anger apparently over the Prime Minister's challenge to them to withdraw support on their opposition to the deal, the Left parties walked out of the Lok Sabha towards the end of his statement while the opposition parties did not allow him to read his statement in Rajya Sabha.
"Since I am not being allowed to speak, I am laying the statement on the table of the House," Singh said.
Immediately after the Prime Minister's statement, the CPI(M) said its polit bureau will meet on August 17 and 18 when they will discuss all pros and cons of the situation arising out of the deal.
In an indication that the government was taking seriously the Left opposition, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the ruling coalition would "draw correct lessons from the past" when governments have collapsed even on minor pretexts.
"I don't think it will lead to that type of situation," Mukherjee said but declined to specify what the government strategy would be.
"We will explore all possibilities but will not compromise on basic principles," he said.
Responding to concerns raised by the Left, NDA and UNPA over various aspects of the 123 agreement, Singh said India can take "corrective measures" if the US terminates the agreement and the cessation of cooperation will take place after "elaborate multi-layered" consultations.
New Delhi has also secured the permanent upfront right for reprocessing and will be able to develop strategic reserve of nuclear fuel to ensure uninterrupted supplies to the civilian reactors for their lifetime, he told the Lok Sabha, virtually responding point-by-point to the concerns raised by Left and Opposition parties.
Text of PM's statement in Lok Sabha
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Govt. rules out discussion under rule which entails voting
Left rejects BJP's bid to drive a wedge between UPA & comrades
