2009 Poll Prospects And Alignments-2

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Sonia: nuclear deal is in nation’s best interests</b>

Ravi Reddy

“We do not need a certificate of patriotism from anyone”

— Photo: K. Ramesh Babu

POWER PLANK: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (left) during a public meeting in Nellore on Thursday.

NELLORE: United Progressive Alliance chairperson and AICC president, Sonia Gandhi, on Thursday defended the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal, asserting that it was in the best interests of the country.

Addressing her first public meeting here after the Left parties withdrew support to the UPA government, she said there was no question of compromising on national security, nuclear programme and independent foreign policy.

“We do not need [a] certificate of patriotism from anyone. It was the Congress that got Independence to the country and carved out an independent foreign policy,” she added, indirectly referring to allegations against the UPA and Congress.
Urgent need

Stating that there was an urgent need to access the latest nuclear technology and fuel from other countries, Ms. Gandhi wondered how the government and the Congress could be faulted for the nuclear agreement. She said the future generations would indeed recognise the UPA government’s decision to go ahead with the agreement as it was in tune with the country’s requirements.

“Yet we are being accused of going against the interests of our country. Let me state before you, before the whole country categorically, there is no question of compromising on our security interest, on our nuclear programme and our independent foreign policy,” she said.

Ms. Gandhi was on a day’s whirlwind tour of Nellore district to launch the second phase of Rajiv Arogyasri health insurance scheme and the inauguration of the world-class modern Krishnapatnam Port on Thursday.

She said the demand for power was increasing in the country and to meet the demand more nuclear plants were needed.

As the economy grew, India needed more power. “More power is required for the farmers, schools, hospitals and every household,” she reasoned.

Referring to the spiralling price of crude oil, she said that when the NDA government was in power, the cost of a barrel was $35. Now it has shot up to $147.

Despite the hardships because of country’s compulsion to import 75 per cent of crude oil to meet its requirement, the UPA government tried its best not to burden the common man.

Much of her 25-minute speech in English that was translated into Telugu by the Rajahmundry MP, V. Arun Kumar, was devoted to the programmes initiated by the Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

She said the decision to waive farm loans to the tune of Rs.75,000 crore was a boon to the farmers in distress.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, AICC general secretary M. Veerappa Moily, Union Minister Panabaka Lakshmi, the former Chief Minister N. Janardhana Reddy and Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president D.Srinivas were present.