The National Democratic Alliance is outraged by the deceitful and duplicitous action of the minority UPA Government in approaching the IAEA for ratification of the Indo-US nuclear deal without establishing their majority in the House. Barely 48 hours ago, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee had categorically declared that the Government would approach IAEA only after seeking a trust vote in the Lok Sabha. He insisted he was giving this assurance after consulting the Prime Minister who was abroad. In fact, interacting with the media en route to Japan, the Prime Minister himself had committed that all parliamentary norms would be followed. This was in response to Leader of the Opposition Shri LK Advani’s demand for summoning Parliament immediately for the Government to seek a trust vote. But surreptitiously, even before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returned to Delhi from the G8 Summit in Japan, his Government has approached IAEA and the draft safeguards agreement has been circulated among 25 members of the IAEA Board.

The NDA condemns the Government’s action in circulating the draft agreement virtually across the world except to the people of India. What is the Government trying to hide? The NDA suspects there is a conspiracy afoot to present the nation with a fait accompli on the deal by rushing through it behind closed doors. No Government – least of all a minority Government -- can be permitted to make commitments on an issue as fundamental to the country’s long-term interests and national security.

It is equally intriguing that despite being reduced to a minority on July 8 when the Left parties announced withdrawal of support to the UPA Government, no Special Session of Parliament has yet been called to ascertain if the incumbent regime still commands majority support. The Government has lost all credibility by its actions and its word cannot be believed any more. If its senior-most Minister’s solemn declaration about seeking a trust vote before going to the IAEA can be so summarily overturned, how can the Prime Minister be trusted with anything? It is capable of going back on assurances even before the ink is dry.

The NDA demands that the Prime Minister seek a vote of confidence in Parliament immediately. The nation has lost faith in the opportunistic and untrustworthy UPA regime. A minority Government cannot be allowed to barter away the nation’s interests by the back door. NDA leaders have noted that the Congress has entered into an unprincipled and opportunistic alliance in a desperate bid to stay in office for a few more months following the withdrawal of support by Left parties. Using this fig-leaf it is pretending that it still enjoys a majority in the Lok Sabha and is running away from facing its moment of truth.

In order to quell any further horse-trading by a desperate Government and the possibility that crippling compromises will be made with the national interest, it is essential that Parliament be convened immediately so that the inept, corrupt and malleable Government’s betrayal of the people’s trust can be exposed before the nation

(Shyam Jaju)
Headquarter Incharge