New Delhi: The Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement crossed yet another hurdle on Thursday when US House of Representatives passed the agreement, but the disagreements within Indian political fraternity seem never-ending.
With the Left allies and NDA-led Opposition protesting the deal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was forced to assure the Rajya Sabha that India would not accept any changes in the agreed nuclear legislation.
“I have spoken to President Bush myself. I have assurance from the US administration that the terms discussed on July 18 will not be tampered with. If US legislation process leads to an end result which is not consistent with what we have agreed on, that'll be the deciding factor on what we'll do next,” Manmohan Singh said.
The Opposition parties and the Left allies expressed dissatisfaction with Manmohan Singh’s statement that there would be no going back on the agreed terms and conditions of the nuclear deal.
The Opposition leaders walked out of the Rajya Sabha and were soon joined by the Samajwadi Party and the Communist Party of India – Marxist. Rajya Sabha was adjourned after the walkout.
“The Bill passed by the House of Representatives contains conditions set by the US Congress. These are contrary to the assurances given to Parliament by the PM,” BJP leader Yashwant Sinha says.
Samajwadi party leader Amar Singh pointed out the Congress must realise its isolation on the issue.
CPI(M)'s Brinda Karat had made her party's opposition to the nuclear deal absolutely clear.
"We would like the Government to agree to a statement that reflects sense of the House," CPI-M leader Brinda Karat said.
(With inputs from CNN-IBN)
Comments
0 comment