UPA's Survival On 22nd July? And Aftermath

[acharya]

<b>
Not happy with Congress pushing nuclear deal: JD(S)</b>

S. Rajendran

This was an opportunity for JD(S) factions to unite: Gowda

BANGALORE: The three-member Janata Dal (Secular) has decided to go with the Left parties and vote against the United Progressive Alliance government in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The former Prime Minister and national president of the JD (S), H.D. Deve Gowda, and the leader of the three-member group in the Lok Sabha and former Union Minister, M.P. Veerendra Kumar, told The Hindu that they “are happy to go with the Left and vote out the UPA. We are not happy with the manner in which the Congress has pushed forward with the nuclear deal.”

Mr. Gowda said: “There is no question of the three members abstaining from the confidence vote as was made out in a section of the media. We will definitely vote and add to the strength of the political parties ranged against the government.”

He said the JD (S) was never interested in any kind of bargaining with the ruling combine as was being made out by its opponents. “We are more serious in consolidating the strength of our party and this has come as an opportunity for the Kerala faction of the JD (S) to return to the main party.”

The Veerendra Kumar faction had parted ways with Mr. Gowda after H.D. Kumaraswamy aligned with the BJP to form a coalition government in Karnataka.
Gratitude

Mr. Gowda said: “The trust vote has also provided me an opportunity to repay my gratitude to the Left parties” which extended support to the United Front government headed by him in 1996-97.
<b>
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, accompanied by her close confidant, Satish Chandra Mishra, called on Mr. Gowda at the latter’s residence on Sunday and sought his support. “Mr. Gowda is a former Prime Minister who has all along fought for the cause of the farming community. So I personally decided to call on him,” Ms. Mayawati said.

The other leader who called on Mr. Gowda was Telengana Rashtra Samiti chief K. Chandrashekar Rao.

The JD (S), Mr. Gowda in particular, had been playing his cards close to his chest right from day one after the Left parties withdrew support to the government. Mr. Gowda had even called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday, giving room for speculation that the JD (S) would extend support to the government.
</b>
“I have not come for bargaining,” the former Prime Minister said, adding that he had quit the high office earlier.

Mr. Kumar told The Hindu that the JD (S) decision to vote against the UPA was taken at a high level meeting of the party late on Saturday. Further, there was no question of any revolt within the party given the nature of the understanding among the three members. The third member is Shivanna, who represents the Chamarajanagar constituency in the Lok Sabha.

[acharya]

<b> Antony sees win on Tuesday</b>

Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: Defence Minister and Congress Working Committee member A.K. Antony on Sunday said the United Progressive Alliance would win Tuesday’s confidence vote.

Speaking to journalists here, Mr. Antony lashed out at the Left parties for being prepared to “associate with any devil” to pull down the UPA government. The party was trying to dislodge the UPA government and hand over the reins to communal forces. It would regret this action later.

Mr. Antony said the Congress would not take any action that would undermine the country’s independent foreign policy. He deplored the Left parties’ propaganda in this regard. The campaign that the India-U.S. nuclear agreement was anti-Muslim was unfortunate. India badly needed nuclear energy to meet power shortages it was facing now.

India’s stand on the Iran issue had not changed. The country would oppose any attempt by the U.S. to take military action against Iran. “The government was not prepared to jettison its ties with traditional friends,” he said.

[acharya]

<b>
Amid dinner engagements, UPA and NDA optimistic</b>

Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI: A day before the debate on the trust vote, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) camps on Sunday resorted to dinner diplomacy to shore up numbers on their sides.
Luncheon engagement

The Left parties, the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which will vote against the government, however, stayed away from the dinners hosted by the NDA and UPA groupings. Instead, they had a luncheon engagement of their own.
Focus of attack

While the UPA hosted the dinner at a five-star hotel, the NDA gathered its flock at the Parliament House Annexe. Bharatiya Janata Party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra expressed confidence that the government would be defeated in the trust vote, but said the focus of attack during the debate in the Lok Sabha would be on the “four years of misrule.”

Later in the evening, senior BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu said it would be a “win-win” situation for the NDA whether the government was defeated or not and claimed the debate would leave a “permanent scar on the face of the Congress.”

On the other hand, the UPA’s political managers exuded confidence of having the numbers to sail through the test.

At both dinners, the attention grabbers were defectors from either side. While the UPA dinner saw Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh escorting long-time BJP parliamentarian Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, the NDA banquet had dissident Haryana Congress leader Kuldeep Bishnoi in attendance.

The UPA dinner also saw the attendance of MPs of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and party chief Shibu Soren and former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran.

Although invitations had gone out to Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) and Ajit Singh’s Rashtriya Lok Dal, both leaders have decided to cast their lot with the Opposition and did not attend the dinner.
Admits to defection

Mr. Malhotra admitted to the defection of the Balrampur MP but said members not present at the Parliamentary party meeting had either submitted applications or were on their way to the National Capital.

He said the former Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, told members that the government should have resigned on moral grounds the day the Left parties withdrew support.
<b>
“The only difference between our stand and that of the Left is that they are opposed to any pact with the U.S. while we feel the only flaw in the India-U.S. nuclear deal is that we won’t be able to conduct another nuclear test,” he said.</b>

The NDA would train its fire on price rise, internal security and “vote-bank politics” of the government, he said.

[acharya]

<b>
Akali Dal to vote against government</b>

Sarabjit Pandher

CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh has said that all the eight MPs of the party would vote against the UPA government during the trust vote on Tuesday. He ruled out abstention by even a “single MP.”

Mr. Singh was talking to The Hindu over the phone from Delhi after chairing a party meeting at his official residence.

He scoffed at talks of division within the party over the issue of “saving the first Sikh Prime Minister.” The party stood like rock with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, he asserted.

“Though there was no need for this, the Shiromani Akali Dal issued a whip to all its MPs to be present in the House when the motion for vote of confidence is moved on Tuesday and vote against it. This was done to put at rest all speculations.”

The party’s top leadership had explained that the vote of confidence and the nuclear deal were separate issues, he pointed out.

[acharya]

The trust vote
<b>
Even if the UPA government survives the floor test on July 22, it cannot be construed as Parliament’s approval for the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal. Similarly, if it is defeated it cannot be taken as disapproval of the deal. Because most of our MPs are not voting on the deal. Horse-trading is so rampant that the side which can muster the needed strength by hook or by crook is set to win.</b>

A. Gajanana,

Bangalore

* * *
<b>
The fact remains that most of our MPs are not even aware of what the nuclear deal is all about. </b>That apart, even if an MP believes that the deal is in the interest of the nation, he cannot cast his vote as he pleases. The merit of the main issue is secondary to the wish of the party high command.

C.K. Prem Kumar,

Palakkad

* * *
<b>
Never in the history of independent India has a government risked its existence on a foreign policy issue.</b> The Congress owes an explanation on how nuclear energy will make India self-sufficient in energy. Can it assure us that the U.S. will not use nuclear fuel as a strategic weapon? Will not India be more dependent on foreign fuel than it is today?

S. Sriram,

Bangalore

* * *

That the MPs are being wooed by the UPA for support is all over the media. If the government survives and some small parties are rewarded with Cabinet berths, will it not amount to a constitutional offence?

Can ministerial posts be traded for votes?

S.G. Venkataramani,

Chennai

* * *

Trust or faith is something that has to come spontaneously from one’s heart. This is applicable to all walks of life, including politics. The way in which the political parties of all hues are gearing up for the confidence vote scheduled for July 22 is reflective of anything but ‘trust.’

S. Ramakrishnasayee,

Ranipet

* * *

The Lok Sabha is set to decide the fate of the UPA government on July 22. If it wins the trust vote, the nuclear deal will stay. What happens to the deal if the UPA is voted out? Is it in auto drive or will it die with the fall of the government? If it is to die, why is the government talking to the IAEA and the NSG?

Governments will come and go but the nuclear deal will have a far-reaching effect on the future of our country. The Lok Sabha should, therefore, discuss the deal dispassionately and objectively and decide its fate independent of the UPA’s future.

Lt. Col. H.S. Gur (retd.),

Hisar

* * *

This is with reference to media reports of betting on the trust vote. It is shocking to see some television news channels openly talking about it. How can people indulge in such activities with impunity?

V. Pratap,

Chennai

* * *
<b>
It is clear that the smaller political parties want to be on the winning side, which is why they are meeting both sides and keeping their cards close to their chest. They are least bothered about the nuclear deal and concerned only with their agenda. At this rate, we should not be surprised if our next Prime Minister belongs to a regional party. <span style='color:red'>The mushrooming of small parties poses the million dollar question: how safe is India’s future?</span></b>

B.L. Shivakumar,

Coimbatore

[acharya]

Pros and cons

The article “Missing the wood for the trees” (July 19) was an exceptionally well balanced assessment of the pros and cons of the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal. It brings out how a badly needed dialogue has been reduced to a no-holds-barred confrontation for political one-upmanship. From India’s point of view, the deal may not be the best but it certainly is good. Its purpose is not energy self-sufficiency in perpetuity. It is about getting a supplementary source of energy. The argument that sovereignty will be compromised by signing the deal is unacceptable. All international agreements, even those between equal parties, involve some commitment at the cost of sovereignty. For a meaningful dialogue we should actually ask ‘why not’ rather than ‘why.’

P.P. Sudhakaran,

Bangalore

* * *

N. Ravi has made out a strong case for the nuclear deal. He has also pointed out that it will be an uphill task for any future government to resurrect the deal with a new government in the U.S. MPs, irrespective of their party line, should see not only the advantages of the deal but also the need for energy, particularly in a situation where there is acute shortage of power. The deal should be concluded in the overall national interest.

R. Ramachandra Ayyar,

Chennai

* * *

History beckons the Indian political class to rise above narrow ideological and political considerations to save the nuclear deal, and ensure that an international agreement initiated by the government is validated. Cooperation with the U.S. may be the answer to our infrastructural woes — a major constraining factor in our development.

P. Esakki Muthu,

Mumbai

* * *

The article is an objective and brilliant analysis of the much maligned nuclear deal. I wish it had appeared earlier to dispel the doubts of those who oppose the deal. While the ideological opposition by the Left parties is understandable, the objection from the rest, including experts and the BJP, is nothing but nit-picking and indeed “peripheral and trivial.”

B. Sankaranarayanan,

Chennai

* * *

The nuclear deal will demonstrate to the world that India is a responsible state. In spite of our not being a signatory to the NPT, the deal has been offered to us with an India-specific provision. As rightly pointed out by the Prime Minister, the deal will end the nuclear apartheid against India.

V.K. Eswaran,

Chennai

* * *

Mr. Ravi has written a very important piece that clarifies the points of support and opposition to the nuclear deal. But it is difficult to accept that India’s independent foreign policy will not be steered into the American worldview.

The Indian government’s actions and consistent remarks made by the American establishment bear out that it is indeed a case of the Americans tethering the Indians toward various strategic initiatives — be it isolating Iran or countering China. The primacy of the Hyde Act makes it impossible for India to accept it. This single concern on the effect on India’s foreign policy is enough to oppose the deal.

Srinivasan Ramani,

Mumbai

* * *

<b>The argument by the supporters of the deal that the Hyde Act is a domestic legislation and that we can weather its effects if we are strong is not based on the facts of the deal. The Act enables the U.S. Congress to pressure the U.S. President and the IAEA to act against India. Sanctions by world powers citing IAEA could become catastrophic for us.</b>
<b>
The IAEA safeguards do not recognise India as a nuclear weapons state. This will curtail our strategic independence in terms of weapons and nuclear research. </b>India cannot hope to rely on China or Russia or the goodwill of U.S. Presidents as international politics is a jungle. The fundamental argument of the opponents of the deal is not against the deal per se but to the way in which we are getting into it — from a position of weakness. Compare the sloppy Indian approach with the perfect American approach which defined its expectations in black and white in the Hyde Act and ensured that the 123 agreement referred to it.

Balajee Rajaram,

Chennai

[ramana]

The English language media -TV and print are writing about how unmoral all this is when they were taking lifafas left and right from both within and without the country to push for the deal. It is very critical for the good of the country to get this govt voted out by any method because they have and are using every method in their hands to push for their win. Its not the deal alone but they have subverted every branch of govt and have bypassed traditions. Its Mir Jaffar on a national scale. If they are not voted out there are no other parliamentary methods to get them out.

<img src='http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080721/ind1.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[ramana]

From Times of islamabad:

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--> NEW DELHI: The BJP-led NDA gathered on the eve of the special session of Parliament with six out of the BJP flock of 130 missing from the dinner hosted by Leader of Opposition L K Advani and at least four missing from the allies' camp.

<b>Of the six missing BJP MPs, actor-turned-politician Dharmendra is believed to be on his way back from Los Angeles where he recently underwent knee surgery. Out of the rest, BJP sources said "efforts were on" to get sulking Gujarat MPs Somabhai Patel and Babubhai Katara to vote on the party's side, though chances that they may switch camps cannot be ruled out.</b>

<b>Pattan MP Mahesh Kanoria, still in ICU after a heart ailment, is unable to travel and hence may have to stay away from the House. Karnataka MP K Manjunath, who is unwell, may also stay away. Maharshtra MP Harish Chandra Chavan is also in hospital, but he may be playing truant to avoid voting.</b>

<b>Of the NDA lot, Trinamool Congress chief and the party's only Lok Sabha MP Mamata Banerjee is in Kolkata, with indications that she might abstain from voting. Two JD(U) MPs — Ramswaroop Prasad from Nalanda and P P Koya from Lakshwadeep — stayed away while of the 12 Shiv Sena members, one was absent from the dinner.</b>

Clarifying reports that some BJD members may switch sides, party MP Tathagata Satpathy said, "MPs in our party have a one-to-one relationship with party chief Naveen Patnaik and that creates a bond that ensures stability."

Speaking at the party's parliamentary board meeting, Advani said the BJP would highlight the overall failure of the government at the special session and not only focus on the nuclear deal. Reiterating the party line on the deal, Advani said, "Unlike the Left, BJP is against the deal in its present form since it puts a cap on further testing, but is not averse to strategic ties with the US."
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

So how does this all effect the voting strength. Clear instructions should be given to ensure that those found shirking will be taken are off just as those voting will be rewarded.

[G.Subramaniam]

Ramana, I would rather the congress win the vote on Tuesday and stay on for the next 10 months and finally disappear in the general elections

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-G.Subramaniam+Jul 20 2008, 08:03 PM-->QUOTE(G.Subramaniam @ Jul 20 2008, 08:03 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Ramana, I would rather the congress win the vote on Tuesday and stay on for the next 10 months and finally disappear in the general elections
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Nope. Even if there is slight chance then this government has to go. I agree with Ramana on this. There is no proof that in 10 months that congress vote will erode etc. etc.

No one (young and old) in their life time has seen the drama to this extent. Even Indira Gandhi after all that emergency etc. looked back and gave up to sit in the opposition.

Congress is not going to disappear even if there is election in 10 months or 1 month. They will get their 100+ no matter whatever is done. Earlier it is better.

[Capt M Kumar]

<!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> It's learnt that two leading bookies are camping in an upscale New Delhi hotel and contacting their potential targets. The Congress and NCP recognize that they stand to lose heavily if the UPA government falls and early elections are held.

"Anti-incumbency is so strong in Maharashtra that it will be cakewalk for the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance if elections are held now," a senior Congress minister admitted.

"The consequences of a defeat on July 22 go beyond Lok Sabha elections. They will impact the assembly polls next," he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bookies...how/3256972.cms

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-Capt M Kumar+Jul 20 2008, 09:44 PM-->QUOTE(Capt M Kumar @ Jul 20 2008, 09:44 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin--><!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> It's learnt that two leading bookies are camping in an upscale New Delhi hotel and contacting their potential targets. The Congress and NCP recognize that they stand to lose heavily if the UPA government falls and early elections are held.

"Anti-incumbency is so strong in Maharashtra that it will be cakewalk for the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance if elections are held now," a senior Congress minister admitted.

"The consequences of a defeat on July 22 go beyond Lok Sabha elections. They will impact the assembly polls next," he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bookies...how/3256972.cms
[right][snapback]84704[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Man, this is news. Maharastra is the swing state of India. If Maha votes SS-BJP, then congress is over.

[ramana]

<!--QuoteBegin-Muppalla+Jul 21 2008, 02:25 AM-->QUOTE(Muppalla @ Jul 21 2008, 02:25 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-G.Subramaniam+Jul 20 2008, 08:03 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(G.Subramaniam @ Jul 20 2008, 08:03 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Ramana, I would rather the congress win the vote on Tuesday and stay on for the next 10 months and finally disappear in the general elections
[right][snapback]84701[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Nope. Even if there is slight chance then this government has to go. I agree with Ramana on this. There is no proof that in 10 months that congress vote will erode etc. etc.

No one (young and old) in their life time has seen the drama to this extent. Even Indira Gandhi after all that emergency etc. looked back and gave up to sit in the opposition.

Congress is not going to disappear even if there is election in 10 months or 1 month. They will get their 100+ no matter whatever is done. Earlier it is better.
[right][snapback]84702[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


GS, its not politics as usual. This Congress is not the one that fought for freedom. Its totally a Mir Jaffar party on national scale. They have decided they cant face the heat in the kitchen and are asking the outsiders to take over to make sure others wont ever get in the kitchen and if they get in its all microwave. Will never cook dal roti. Its all warmed up take-out from foreign kitchens.

If there is a chance to get it out it has to be done. Its not about the deal. I was for the deal day one till the Hyde Act got in. Its about governance. They have broken every precedent to get and stay in power.


If it takes Mayawati to become the PM so be it. It will right the wrongs done to Jagjivan Ram and other national leaders by the Congress toadies.

[acharya]

<!--QuoteBegin-ramana+Jul 20 2008, 04:28 PM-->QUOTE(ramana @ Jul 20 2008, 04:28 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->

<b>
GS, its not politics as usual. This Congress is not the one that fought for freedom. Its  totally a Mir Jaffar party on national scale. They have decided they cant face the heat in the kitchen and are asking the outsiders to take over to make sure others wont ever get in the kitchen and if they get in its all microwave. Will never cook dal roti. Its all warmed up take-out from foreign kitchens. </b>

If there is a chance to get it out it has to be done. Its not about the deal. I was for the deal day one till the Hyde Act got in. Its about governance. They have broken every precedent to get and stay in power.


If it takes Mayawati to become the PM so be it. It will right the wrongs done to Jagjivan Ram and other national leaders by the Congress toadies.
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Can you explain in clear terms and proper english because lot of educated Indians in the forums are unable to understand the full picture. They are unable to put every piece together for the national interest

[acharya]

PARLIAMENT OBITUARY TO MANMOHAN GOVT?
OR PRAKASH KARAT EXITS FROM CPM HELM?

SONIA MONEY POWER VS MAYA VOTE POWER
22 JULY WILL BIG-ALTER INDIA POLITICS
By P.R.SIDDHARTHA
21 JULY 2008



SONIA & KARAT WILL FIGHT IT OUT TO THE END

The Parliament of India Meets in a Historic Two Day Session on 21-22 July 2008 to Vote on the Exit-Continuation of the Manmohan Singh Government.

Neither side is quitting.

Congress President Sonia is hoping to save the Government, confident of her MONEY POWER!

CPM Chief Prakash Karat is confident of Defeating the Manmohan Government, confident of the VOTE POWER of Mayawati!

Sonia and Karat will therefore Fight till the End until Counting Time on Voting Night, 22 July 2008.

SONIAOLOGY

Politicsparty.com Spoke to the Spend-To-Procure Chief of the “Save Manmohan Government” Team called Ahmed Patel Political Secretary to the Congress President Sonia.

We were told on 21 July Morning,
“We will Manage the 272 Lok Sabha MPs required to save the Government by Voting Time on 22 July Night after Sunset!”

MAYAWATIOLOGY

Politicsparty.com Spoke to the Allot Ticket-To-Procure Chief of the “Defeat Manmohan Government” Team called Prime Minister To Be Mayawati.
We were told on 21 July Morning,
“We will Manage more than the 272 Lok Sabha MPs required to Defeat the Manmohan Government by Sunrise on Voting Day on 22 July!”

SONIA MONEY POWER

Congress President Sonia is using the Biggest Mobilisation of Money Power to Save the Manmohan Government. MPs who have lost their Constituencies in the Delimitation Process and will not be contesting the Next Lok Sabha Polls are pocketing <span style='color:red'>25-100 Crores to vote for the Manmohan Government.

The Congress President is not short of either Money or Tactics and if her managers are Competent in Big-Spend then the required MPs could easily be procured.
</span>
MAYAWATI-NITISH-ADVANI VOTE POWER

The MPs who want to win the Next Lok Sabha Elections want to leave the Congress-Samajwadi-Lalu Camp which is sure to lose the Lok Sabha Polls.

These MPs are seeking BJP, BSP and JD (U) Tickets from Advani, Mayawati and Nitish Kumar.

Mayawati is expected to win almost all the Seats in Uttar Pradesh.Mayawati won 30 per cent vote in the recent Polls. Now, Mayawati will get all the Muslim and Jat Votes to cross 50 per cent of the Vote.

Mayawati has the Vote Power as against Sonia’s Money Power!

Mayawati’s Vote Power has the Potential to woo a number of Samajwadi Party MPs keen on winning the Lok Sabha Elections as the BSP Candidates.

If Mayawati’s Vote Power inspires more than 6 of Mulayam’s 39 MPs to defect then the Manmohan Government will be defeated.

TAILPIECE

The Battle for the MP’s Votes in the Confidence Vote on 22 July is a War of Supremacy between “Sonia Money Power” and “Mayawati-Nitish-Advani VOTE POWER”!

FINISHLINE
<span style='color:red'>
22 July 2008 will Big-Alter India Politics unleashing Historic Political Equations and has the Potential to destroy the Political System created in 1947 and now degenerated in to a Stink Pond of Rotten Fish, Big and Small!</span>

[Guest]

Corrupt PM of India moves confidence motion in Lok Sabha

[acharya]

http://loksabha.nic.in/ls/audio/live_proce...f_lok_sabha.htm

[acharya]

<b>Nuke deal is purely political: Manvendra Singh</b>
21 Jul 2008, 0706 hrs IST, Rustam Roy,TIMESOFINDIA.COM

Manvendra Singh
Manvendra Singh.
After Congress MP Sachin Pilot's take on the nuclear deal on Friday, BJP's Manvendra Singh, son of Jaswant Singh talks about the politics behind the Indo-US nuke deal, the horsestrading mess and his experience as a first-time MP from Barmer.
<b>
Q: Why is the BJP opposing the nuclear deal?</b>
A: From July 18, 2005 till today, we have been opposing the nuclear deal, it's not a matter of today or yesterday. The deal is purely political and has nothing to do with energy, we don't agree with the price the nation has to pay to get the deal through.
<b>
Q: So your party is just trying to prove a point ahead of the elections.</b>
A: That's the perception, we are not anti-American, we believe in having good relations with the Americans but we are opposed to the deal because it forfeits India's strategic space and autonomy. The NDA had initiated highest level talks with the Americans when it was in power, but this deal is based on just one point of attraction, no relationship is based on one point of attraction, and it is true for this deal as well.
<b>
Q: Embarrass the government, that's the BJP's strategy.</b>
A: See, if the government is interested in embarrassing itself, then what can we do? We are not here to enhance the image of the Congress, why should we support a deal which we do not believe, both from an ideological and from the strategic point.
<b>
Q: The deal will make us self reliant in energy.</b>
A: Ok, I grant them that, if they say it will make us self-reliant in energy but at what cost? The fact is that we will be importing reactors and fuel, which cannot be in favour of our security, it defies logic.
<b>
Q: So if the BJP comes to power, you will junk the deal?</b>
A: Yes, we will.
<b>
Q: I will hold you to it.</b>
A: Sure, you can, we will junk it.
<b>
Q: And so horsetrading takes place, is that fair?</b>
A: It is ruining the political class, it is something I haven't seen in my political career, that is the reason I don't understand why this government is risking everything for one deal.
<b>
Q: What kind of signal are politicians sending out to the people who feel so disillusioned seeing all this in front of their eyes?</b>
A: Politicians reflect society, whatever is happening even we are concerned, we also know what the people are thinking. For politics to change good people have to come in, you cannot expect good conduct from an Atiq Ansari.
<b>
Q: So blame it on society.</b>
A: No, I'm not saying that. What I am saying is that good people will have to take the lead and come into politics. They have to feel it’s good for the country. You have to get into the muck to change things.
<b>
Q: Finally, how has it been for you as a first-time MP from Barmer, what is it that left you unfulfilled?</b>
A: Frankly it’s water. I couldn't do enough to provide water, not because of lack of will but I didn't know there was so much s arkari procedure involved. I didn't cater for the scale and level of delay involved in getting my ideas through.

[acharya]

<b>Nuclear deal not about Congress: Sachin Pilot</b>
18 Jul 2008, 1554 hrs IST, Rustam Roy,TIMESOFINDIA.COM

Sachin Pilot in Delhi
Sachin Pilot (TOI Photo)
Sachin Pilot, first-time MP from Dausa, talks about the nuke deal, his experience in Parliament and narrowly missing out on a Cabinet berth.
<b>
Sachin, the 14th Lok Sabha is nearing the end of its tenure. As a first-time MP how has the experience been for you?</b>

I have to admit it has been an enriching experience. Time has moved so quickly. There have been big and small achievements. I got a lot of young people into the political landscape; at another level in my constituency in Dausa, I helped bring up a mobile tower, worked towards building new roads and arranging for drinking water. All these might seem small but these are big things for people of my constituency.
<b>
Do you have any regrets?</b>

No not at all. I have realised one has to be in the system to change it. We all have to work inside the system to make a difference. It's no good talking in the air and criticising from outside.
<b>
And then you narrowly missed out on a Cabinet berth?</b>

See, it's not a bus ride that I missed the bus. A party needs all kinds of people. My party has given me so much work. I get to do a lot of parliamentary work... my first speech in Parliament was on farmers who are close to my heart. Also I am a part of state coordination committee, manifesto committee, so I am saddled with work. I have a long way to go as an MP, there will be many opportunities.
<b>
Since you were unavailable for comment for two days after the new Cabinet was announced many felt you were hurt...</b>

That is just not the case. I'll tell you, it was a Sunday, there was so much speculation going on, so much media coverage and then breaking news on TV. The news ticker on TV was buzzing, even after the Cabinet was announced. I was busy congratulating people and I had no time really. After that I issued a statement. So it was all so fast and hectic that people perceived a lot of things.
<b>
Let me ask you: what does the nuclear deal mean to the Congress?</b>

See, the party is bigger than any individual and the country is bigger than any party, so it's not really about the Congress. The thing is it's good for the country, it's a three-stage process. It ends our nuclear isolation, its not intrusive...and most importantly we don't have uranium. The agreement will give us a passport to procure enriched uranium. Of course what we do with the passport depends on us and how we handle it.

We have discussed the nuclear deal threadbare, both within the party and in the parliamentary committee. I presented the deal before Parliament. Now if some people want to resist it just because it's 'American imperialism', what can I say about that!
<b>
A few days ago, Rahul Gandhi said even the young MPs in the BJP support the deal...</b>

Rahul Gandhi is right... the truth is except for Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie everyone in the BJP actually supports the deal but then politics comes into it and everybody has to follow the party whip.
<b>
And the truth is that it's the BJP which initiated the process when they were in power...</b>

That's exactly the point, and we have no problem in giving credit to the BJP for starting the process. But it is Manmohan Singh and his team who have finally got us to close the deal. The BJP just cannot deal with that which I think is plain political gimmickry.<b>

Do you think the PM has staked too much on the deal? After being a successful Finance Minister in the 90s, will he now be remembered as a great PM who gave us the deal? Isn't it unthinkable that a government might fall on a foreign policy issue when the country is pre-occupied with inflation and other internal problems?</b>

See, the PM is a visionary. It's not a question of 3 or 5 years, the deal will help us in the next 20 years because we are such an energy-deficient country. So we need the deal. The PM does not need to prove himself, he will be known as India's PM whatever happens, he does not need to leave behind a legacy as you put it. The PM believes in ownership as far as the deal is concerned. What's wrong with that?
<b>
Do you think the Congress has been unable to sell the deal to the people? The BJP had done a great job of reaching out to the people when they were in power.</b>

We don't believe in the propaganda machinery of the RSS and Sangh Parivar. They can even show Ganesh drinking milk. We don't believe in that.... People realise the merits and believe me, I travel to far-off villages and there they tell me that the PM wants to make us self-reliant in energy, so really people know a lot of things...
<b>
And then there is the Samajwadi Party factor. Just yesterday you were enemies but now you are friends with them..</b>

That's not true, in 2004 the SP had pledged to support us and that letter of support is with the President since then... Now you might see them supporting us in spirit and a bit more visible... our partnership is based on a single agenda of national gain.
<b>
There is also the UP factor interlinked isn't it? A chance to team up and take on Mayawati?</b>

That is all speculation. Uttar Pradesh's being a factor or not does not come into it. Multiple benefits, some benefits... it's not the way we think. The SP has decided to support us and the deal and that's what is important.

[acharya]

<b>At UPA dinner, 'men who matter' sit at high table</b>
21 Jul 2008, 0205 hrs IST,TNN

Dinner meeting
NCP chief Sharad Pawar with daughter and party MP Supriya Sule leave after UPA's dinner meeting in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)
More Pictures
NEW DELHI: Equations in politics change faster than weather. At the previous dinner Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had hosted for his UPA colleagues, the pride of place at coalition chairperson Sonia Gandhi's table was reserved for the Karats — Prakash and Brinda.

Now that the Left had strayed away into the Opposition camp, those who gave Sonia company were women MPs from the UPA family — Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, DMK chief Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi and Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit. The men at the table were Rahul Gandhi and LJP leader Ramvilas Paswan.

For his part, Singh, too, chose as fellow diners at his table those who mattered most at the moment — Mulayam Singh Yadav, Amar Singh, Sharad Pawar, IUML MP and minister E Ahamed, Shibu Soren, Pranab Mukherjee and P R Dasmunsi. Another interesting but subtle shift in focus was culinary.

At such dinners over the past four years when Left leaders were important guests — fish occupied a major place on the menu. This time round, though fish was served along with mutton and chicken, it seemed to have missed that predominant position.
<b>
Though no politics was discussed, the gestures said a lot. "The mood was upbeat and convivial," said an MP. Intended to be a show of solidarity, all the Congress chief ministers were present. Vilasrao Deshmukh of Maharashtra, Tarun Gogoi of Assam and Y S R Reddy of Andhra Pradesh were seen mingling with the MPs.</b>

Another man drawing attention was Rajya Sabha member and legal expert Ram Jethmalani. The PM and Sonia exchanged pleasantries with almost every guest. But the evening did not have exactly an easy air about it. One minister playing a key role in managing the numbers and chalking out the strategy for the debate beginning on Monday left much before the dinner was over. "I have some urgent work to do," he was heard saying.

Some Congress functionaries and young MPs regrouped and met elsewhere to do things assigned to them.