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SP saves India from national disgrace

HK. DUA’s front-page editorial, “PM need not cancel his flight to Tokyo now” (July 6) is an eye-opener. It has brought to light various aspects of the deal and political moves last week. I agree that “there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies (in politics). Only interests endure.” The Samajwadi Party has lent a helping hand to the Congress at a time when it needed the most to see the nuclear deal through. It may be an act of political compulsion as mentioned in the editorial but it has saved India from the disgrace it would have faced in the event of the failure of the deal.

The BJP is as crafty as a fox and its arguments against the deal are nebulous. Right from Day One, when the deal was signed, the party has been denouncing it vociferously. It has been crying hoarse that the national interest would suffer if the deal was put through, but has not bothered to explain to the people how it will affect our interest.

Prof LAKHA SINGH, GGS Khalsa College Sarhali (Tarn Taran)

II

Admittedly, in spite of its professed strategic partnership with the US, the BJP has been opposing the nuclear deal not because it is out of sync with the people’s mood and nation’s needs but only because it is in the Opposition.

The Congress-SP alliance will jeopardise the BJP’s poll prospects not only in Uttar Pradesh but also throughout the country. If the Congress succeeds in clinching the nuclear deal finally, those looking towards the BJP and its allies for redeeming their woes will not forgive it for its myopic vision which is akin to that of the Leftists who are opposing the deal on ideological grounds.

Let’s hope that the G-8 Summit will help fructify Dr Manmohan Singh’s efforts to gain access to the badly needed enriched uranium and high technology for nuclear reactors, defence and space industries and clean energy when oil prices are hitting through the roof.

LAJ PAT RAI GARG, Chandigarh

III

We are badly in need of enriched uranium for our nuclear reactors, high technology and for meeting the increasing demand for power. The Prime Minister, who is a renowned economist, is fully aware of the rising inflation, oil crisis. However these are short-term problems and can be tackled effectively.

Former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam has hailed the nuclear deal. His statement that political parties should give primacy to national interest above their party interest will, certainly, make every party to review its stand on the deal. Three chairs for the Samajwadi Party for extending unconditional support to the UPA government over the deal.

K. K. ARORA, Amritsar

IV

Mr Dua’s piece reveals the functioning of the system in India’s multiparty democracy. Saving the deal and the government has come as a great relief, because early elections too are a burden on the taxpayers. The present Lok Sabha, which has another nine months left, is certain to do so, thereby saving the money and time, thanks to some astute thinking on the part of Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav and Co.

Though the impasse on the nuclear deal seems to have blown off, it has exposed many features. One, for the Communists, ideology is more important than the national interest. Two, the BJP leaders are yet to learn that opposition for opposition sake should not be made a motto if they want to return to power. Three, the Centre’s policy on energy and fuel is short-sighted. It lags behind China in sourcing African countries for credible supplies of fossil fuel. The bottom line is that while signing the deal we should not lose sight of our thorium reserves, of which we have plenty deposits.

L. R. SHARMA, Mandi

V

The CPM-led Left has always been threatening the Congress that it would withdraw support to the UPA government on almost every issue of national importance. True, the Left has not shared any responsibility in the Union government, but its tactical moves were always averse to the coalition dharma. By opposing the Indo-US nuclear deal tooth and nail, the Left has lost its credibility as a reliable partner.

Former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam has rightly said that the nuclear deal is in the national interest. The Samajwadi Party has been quick to take a cue from Dr Kalam’s statement and decided to support the Congress on the nuclear deal. The BJP, the major Opposition party at the Centre, would do well to support the government on the deal.

IQBAL SINGH, Bijhari (Hamirpur)