Singh’s N-test in house on Monday

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will submit himself to a nuclear test on Monday in Parliament. In his bid to allay fears of opponents of 123 Agreement, especially his Left allies, Singh will make a suo motto statement on Indo-US nuclear deal.

It will be followed by a discussion on August 14 and 16. The discussion is expected to generate considerable heat with the Left parties taking a belligerent stand on the issue.

Though the BJP and the UNPA are insisting on a discussion under rule 184 in the Lok Sabha and 168 in the Rajya Sabha which entails voting, indications are that the presiding officers are unlikely to agree to this rule. Sources said the discussion may be held under rule 193 which does not require voting.

The BJP may also eventually agree to a general discussion, they added. Even as the Left may use the debate to address its constituency, the UPA managers are much relieved with the comrades lowering their pitch and settling for a discussion under rule 193.

But the Left made it clear that they would not support the BJP even if the discussion entailed voting. PI(M) leader Jyoti Basu said in such an eventuality, “the Left would walk out of the House.”