07-17-2008, 10:08 PM
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PM should clarify whether the nuclear deal is 'done': BJP</b>
New Delhi (PTI): BJP on Thursday demanded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to make his stand clear on media reports suggesting that the Indo-US Nuclear deal was a "done" deal irrespective of UPA government's survival or otherwise.
"Media reports quoting highly placed officials suggest that the deal is done, whether the UPA survives the trust vote or not. The BJP demands that the Prime Minister immediately make his stand clear on this matter," a party release said.
The matter should be made clear before the session convenes. If this is indeed the understanding of the government, it is a very serious matter. It is tantamount to "showing disrespect and contempt for Parliament," it added.
"All further action in respect of the nuclear deal be suspended by the government untill it proves its majority on the floor of the House," BJP said demanding an assurance from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the draft of the safegaurd agreement sent to IAEA would be withdrawn if the UPA loses the trust vote.
Going by the reports, it appears that the Prime Minister no longer believes Parliament to be "sovereign". As far as "broad national consensus" is concerned, it simply does not exist. Nevertheless, flouting his own assurance given three years ago, the Prime Minister has gone ahead with the deal, the release said.
The saffron party also asked the UPA "why it has hurriedly sent a team of officials to meet IAEA secretariat in Vienna, barely four days before the trust vote in Parliament".
PM should clarify whether the nuclear deal is 'done': BJP</b>
New Delhi (PTI): BJP on Thursday demanded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to make his stand clear on media reports suggesting that the Indo-US Nuclear deal was a "done" deal irrespective of UPA government's survival or otherwise.
"Media reports quoting highly placed officials suggest that the deal is done, whether the UPA survives the trust vote or not. The BJP demands that the Prime Minister immediately make his stand clear on this matter," a party release said.
The matter should be made clear before the session convenes. If this is indeed the understanding of the government, it is a very serious matter. It is tantamount to "showing disrespect and contempt for Parliament," it added.
"All further action in respect of the nuclear deal be suspended by the government untill it proves its majority on the floor of the House," BJP said demanding an assurance from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the draft of the safegaurd agreement sent to IAEA would be withdrawn if the UPA loses the trust vote.
Going by the reports, it appears that the Prime Minister no longer believes Parliament to be "sovereign". As far as "broad national consensus" is concerned, it simply does not exist. Nevertheless, flouting his own assurance given three years ago, the Prime Minister has gone ahead with the deal, the release said.
The saffron party also asked the UPA "why it has hurriedly sent a team of officials to meet IAEA secretariat in Vienna, barely four days before the trust vote in Parliament".