A reality check carried out by a section of the BJP has revealed that the party's traditional urban middle-class supporters are backing the increased strategic co-operation between India and the US.
NEW DELHI: A reality check carried out by a section of the BJP has revealed that the party's traditional urban middle-class supporters are backing the increased strategic co-operation between India and the US.
The finding has prompted leader of opposition LK Advani into a course-correction mode on the issue. A poll conducted by DNA-IMRS (above) bears out Urban India's clear support to the nuclear deal.
While Advani is opposed to the deal in its present form because of the implications of the Hyde Act rather than over the provisions contained in the 123 agreement, he made a conscious effort to distinguish the BJP's position from the Left's anti-US stand.
Advani said that if the government brings an amendment to the Atomic Energy Act to protect India's strategic independence, the BJP will have no problems with the deal.
"India should have an independent nuclear and foreign policy, which would not allow the Hyde Act to override," Advani told DNA.
The government, in any case, will have to amend the Act to allow inspections by a third country or a group. But it will have to move relevant amendments to get rid of "strategic subservience" to the US and pursue an independent energy and strategic policy. Advani will seek an amendment when the issue comes up for debate in the parliament.
"It is anti-Americanism which propels the Left to oppose a nuclear deal," Advani said. "We are opposed to the nuclear deal in the present form because the agreement is on unequal terms and the BJP has objections to such strategic subservience."
The change in Advani's stance came after a recent meeting with nuclear and security experts and right-leaning intellectuals and writers. There is an overwhelming feeling in the party that if the nuclear deal becomes a major issue in the coming elections, the BJP will be perceived as being anti-US and playing second fiddle to the Left.
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