2009 Poll Prospects And Alignments

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UNPA heads for split as parties reject SP move</b>

Gargi Parsai

“There was consensus only on a national debate”

TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu refutes

Amar Singh’s claim

Nuclear deal anti-national, anti-secular: Chautala

NEW DELHI: Cracks have appeared in the United National Progressive Alliance with the Om Prakash Chautala-led Indian National Lok Dal and the Asom Gana Parishad distancing themselves from the Samajwadi Party’s decision to support the government on the India-U.S. nuclear deal.

With 48 hours of making a show of solidarity at a press conference, the alliance appeared to be on the brink of a split.

TDP spokesman and Rajya Sabha member M.V. Mysoora Reddy told The Hindu that the UNPA was formed as a non-Congress, non-BJP alliance. “If Mr. Mulayam Singh has gone with the Congress how can he be a part of this alliance?”

He refuted the claim of SP leader, Amar Singh, that the party informed TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu about supporting the deal. “It is not correct.”

In the July 3 meeting there was consensus only on seeking a “national debate” and expert opinion. “The opinion of the former President A.P.J Abdul Kalam on the nuclear deal is well-known and there was opposition to his name. However, the SP went ahead with it. We still want a national debate.”

He said the UNPA would support a no-confidence motion and oppose a trust vote in Parliament. The TDP has five members in the Lok Sabha.

Speaking to journalists here, Mr. Chautala said anyone who supported the deal had no place in the UNPA. <span style='color:red'>“The nuclear deal is anti-national and anti-secular. Mulayam Singh was insulted earlier by the Congress and will be insulted again. The UNPA does not see eye-to-eye with the Samajwadi Party any more.”</span>
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He said the decision of Mr. Mulayam Singh — a founding member of the UNPA — had “shocked” him. “Mulayam Singh is a good politician and is rooted to the ground. It is not known who got him to commit the mistake,” he said.</b>

On the endorsement of the deal by Dr. Kalam he said, “Dr. Kalam was already a supporter of the deal. So what was the point in consulting him? His name came up in the UNPA meeting. However, I suggested that some renowned scientist should be consulted on the issue. But the SP chose to consult Dr. Kalam,” he rued.

Claiming that the SP chief did not meet him either before or after meeting UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Mr. Chautala said there had been no talks with Mr. Mulayam Singh after the UNPA meeting.

He said: “We are against the nuclear deal and oppose the Congress. SP’s support to the nuclear deal is good neither for the party nor for the country.”