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N-deal will give a boost to Punjab

HK. DUA’s front-page editorial, “PM need not cancel his flight to Tokyo now” (July 6) was very timely. Now that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced the government’s decision to go to the IAEA to operationalise the deal, the Leftists have withdrawn their support to the UPA government.

The nuclear deal is crucial to India, even more so to Punjab, a progressive state. It needs more power for its economic development. Carrying coal to Punjab is expensive and burning it would create more health and environmental problems. Nuclear power will boost economic development in Punjab.

I strongly urge Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to support Dr Manmohan Singh as and when he seeks the vote of confidence in Parliament. If the Shiv Sena’s MPs could vote for Mrs Pratibha Patil in the presidential elections, why can’t the SAD MPs vote for our Prime Minister and save the UPA government? The people of Punjab will appreciate and thank the Chief Minister for his courageous act.

Dr MOHINDAR SINGH PUAR, New York

II

Mr Dua has written the truth. The nebulous idea of a third front has collapsed when Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mr Amar Singh moved towards the Congress and the UPA. This pre-election alignment is visible because of mutual compulsions.

Since the Lok Sabha elections are round the corner, the political scenario is changing and there are interesting possibilities to be seen because in politics only interests endure. The nation is feeling the heat following the Left’s withdrawal of support to the UPA government, inflation and oil crunch hitting the economy and the family budgets. Most Indians feel relieved because the UPA government will survive and the political instability has receded.

Mr Dua has aptly said that India needs clean energy, enriched uranium, high technology for nuclear reactors, defence and space industries for our emerging economy. Moreover, it is a great achievement for our nation to sit at the high table along with other major nuclear powers.

Dr L.K. MANUJA, Nahan (HP)

III

Mr Dua clearly highlighted the inevitable dilemma in parliamentary democracy. What really matters most among coalition partners is the prevailing political compulsions and overriding “party interests” rather than old rivalries or past prejudices. No wonder, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, two inimical strange bedfellows, dramatically decided to give a new lease of life to the UPA government and agreed to pursue the nuclear deal to its logical conclusion.

While the Prime Minister will be able to pursue the nuclear deal more comfortably, the manner in which the Left sought to derail the entire process smacks of their intrinsic anti-US stance, intransigence and sheer political opportunism.

In the last three years, the Left could have easily ironed out all differences on the deal, thereby eliminating the present turmoil. It is hoped that this episode will, at least, help the future coalition governments to carefully select their partners!

GOVIND SINGH KHIMTA, Shimla

IV

I endorse the view that failure to see nuclear deal would be a loss of face for the Prime Minister for making a commitment on behalf of over a billion people. Though the Left has already withdrawn its support to the UPA government, it will survive because of the Samajwadi Party’s support. The Indo-US nuclear deal will, certainly, see the light of the day.

Posterity would remain indebted to Dr Manmohan Singh for going ahead with the nuclear deal. I am confident that Australia will also change its stand and agree to sell uranium to India. Yes, the Prime Minister has not cancelled his flight and has flown to Tokyo to keep his word and the nuclear deal is a certainty now.

MUKAND LAL KAUSHIK, Chandigarh

In India’s interest

I often wonder why can’t the Congress and the BJP, both patriotic parties, join hands in national interest. This is not wishful thinking. Both should agree on a common minimum programme and form strong governments at the Centre and in the states. They should fight terrorism, corruption and social evils unitedly and thus preserve and protect national integrity.

As the regional parties are interested in their respective regions, there is no alternative to a coalition between the Congress and the BJP. The sooner they realise this, the better it would be for the country.

BALDEV RAJ, Muktsar