08-17-2006, 07:53 AM
<!--emo&:blow--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='blow.gif' /><!--endemo--> <b>BJP sees chance for Centre-Left wedge </b>
Pradeep KaushalPosted online: Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 0000 hrs
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16:BJP leader Jaswant Singh might have engaged Strobe Talbott in a strategic dialogue during the NDA rule to work out something similar to the India-US nuclear deal, but once on the other side of the fence, priorities obviously change.
By raising suspicions against the agreement, the BJP is seeking to occupy a high moral ground as a guardian of national interest on the one hand and project the Manmohan Singh government as a US stooge on the other. Once this impression gains ground, the party believes, the Congress will lose support among Muslims. The BJP is counting on the Muslim hostility towards both the US and George Bush.
BJP parliamentary party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra said here today the agreement compromised national interests. Therefore, the BJP and its NDA partners would oppose the pact in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow.
Sources in the party claimed the credibility of the UPA government would be certainly dented once people realised that the agreement would cap Indiaâs nuclear programme and shackle it to US laws. The sources said the BJP was under no illusion of getting Muslim votes. However, its goal would be partly served if the Muslim vote drifted away from the Congress.
Given the level of antipathy the US and Bush evoked among Indian Muslims, the sources felt the BJP just had to work a little harder to see the Congress party closely identified with the US. The rest would be taken care of by parties like the SP. The unusual interest shown by the SP in the matter can be traced to this strategy.
The BJP had initially got into secret parleys with the Left to press for a âsense of Parliamentâ resolution on the accord, hoping that it would lead to a face-off between the UPA and Left parties. The party broke ranks with the Left and petitioned President APJ Kalam against the agreement, once reports hinting at an understanding between the Left and the government on the issue started pouring in.
The BJP would now strive to needle the Left, challenging it to stand up and be counted against the deal by asking for a âsense of Parliamentâ resolution. If the Left obliges, fissures in the UPA-Left arrangement will widen. If it does not, the Leftâs sincerity in opposing the US hegemony will come under question.
The BJP is in an upbeat mood after a joint statement by several scientists against the agreement. Malhotra also underlined this development. The reason is simple â the BJP believes the statement reinforces the party view.
pradeep.kaushal@expressindia.com
Pradeep KaushalPosted online: Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 0000 hrs
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16:BJP leader Jaswant Singh might have engaged Strobe Talbott in a strategic dialogue during the NDA rule to work out something similar to the India-US nuclear deal, but once on the other side of the fence, priorities obviously change.
By raising suspicions against the agreement, the BJP is seeking to occupy a high moral ground as a guardian of national interest on the one hand and project the Manmohan Singh government as a US stooge on the other. Once this impression gains ground, the party believes, the Congress will lose support among Muslims. The BJP is counting on the Muslim hostility towards both the US and George Bush.
BJP parliamentary party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra said here today the agreement compromised national interests. Therefore, the BJP and its NDA partners would oppose the pact in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow.
Sources in the party claimed the credibility of the UPA government would be certainly dented once people realised that the agreement would cap Indiaâs nuclear programme and shackle it to US laws. The sources said the BJP was under no illusion of getting Muslim votes. However, its goal would be partly served if the Muslim vote drifted away from the Congress.
Given the level of antipathy the US and Bush evoked among Indian Muslims, the sources felt the BJP just had to work a little harder to see the Congress party closely identified with the US. The rest would be taken care of by parties like the SP. The unusual interest shown by the SP in the matter can be traced to this strategy.
The BJP had initially got into secret parleys with the Left to press for a âsense of Parliamentâ resolution on the accord, hoping that it would lead to a face-off between the UPA and Left parties. The party broke ranks with the Left and petitioned President APJ Kalam against the agreement, once reports hinting at an understanding between the Left and the government on the issue started pouring in.
The BJP would now strive to needle the Left, challenging it to stand up and be counted against the deal by asking for a âsense of Parliamentâ resolution. If the Left obliges, fissures in the UPA-Left arrangement will widen. If it does not, the Leftâs sincerity in opposing the US hegemony will come under question.
The BJP is in an upbeat mood after a joint statement by several scientists against the agreement. Malhotra also underlined this development. The reason is simple â the BJP believes the statement reinforces the party view.
pradeep.kaushal@expressindia.com