Stung by the BJP and the Left’s demand for Manmohan Singh’s resignation in the wake of disclosures from the US on the N-deal, the Congress on Friday went on the offensive.
NEW DELHI: Stung by the BJP and the Left’s demand for prime minister Manmohan Singh’s resignation in the wake of disclosures from the US on the N-deal, the Congress on Friday went on the offensive saying if the deal falls through, only Islamabad, Beijing and Nagpur (RSS headquarters) would be happy.
“It is an irony that if the deal does not get through, maximum applause would be in Islamabad, Beijing and Nagpur from where the BJP is remote-controlled,” said Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi.
Bolstered by the Samajwadi Party’s spirited defence of the PM a day after SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav said he was confused about the deal, the Congress accused the BJP and Left of entering into an “unholy alliance” and “working in tandem” to undermine India’s case when it is fighting international opposition at an international forum.
“While India is fighting potential international opposition, we have the gory spectacle of the Left and BJP working in tandem to undermine the country’s interest,” Singhvi said.
“LK Advani and Prakash Karat are on the same footing, hand in hand on the issue...” he added.
“Two entities — one who (Left) opposed even Indira Gandhi testing the nuclear device in 1974 and the other who (BJP) who tested in it 1998 are united for their short-term opportunistic political gains,” Singhvi said.
The SP’s Amar Singh also attacked the Left and the BJP for “formulating a joint
strategy” to counter the government. “We will go by the statement made by the PM on the issue. We’ll take a call when a crisis will be faced by the nation... I do not see any problem now,” he said.
Replying to a question, Singh said the SP will concede only a dozen seats to the Congress in Uttar Pradesh and ruled out “friendly fights” in the LS polls.
The SP leader who is holding seat-sharing talks with the Congress team headed by Rahul Gandhi said his party would not concede seats like Rampur and Pratapgarh to which the Congress had laid claim during recent parleys.
He said the SP has also sought “few” seats in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.
Expressing opposition to the Congress’ idea of “friendly fights” on a few seats in UP, he said “in such an eventuality, there will be friendly fights in 78 seats and the SP will extend support to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in Rae Bareli and Amethi respectively”.
k_benedict@dnaindia.net
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