Mulayam favours nuke deal, meets PM and Sonia

New Delhi, Jul 4 (PTI) Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam
Singh Yadav and Amar Singh Friday made it clear that they
favoured the Indo-US nuclear deal as they met Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi over the
issue.

After their 30-minute meeting with the Prime Minister,
Yadav and Amar Singh appeared convinced that the nuclear deal
is in the interest of the country and said they would try to
convince other United National Progressive Alliance
constituents on the issue.

The party, whose 39 MPs in Lok Sabha would be crucial
for survival of the government if Left parties withdraw
support, are likely to announce its decision on supporting the
United Progressive Alliance in a couple of days.

The SP leaders said former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
had Thursday elaborately explained to them the benefits of
the deal and allayed fears about the national sovereignty or
foreign policy being compromised.

"We have been opposing it (nuclear deal) as we did not
have any new details. But now these new details have come,"
Yadav told reporters.

Asked whether they were satisfied with the clarifications
given by the Prime Minister Office in a statement two days
back, Yadav said "the entire nation would be satisfied."

Amar Singh said the Prime Minister's statement,
addressing point-by-point issues, was "quite satisfactory" but
the UNPA had decided to consult some "eminent" and
"undisputed" scientist who was identified as Kalam.

He pointed out that the "renowned" scientist Kalam, who
has worked a lot in the nuclear field, told them that the
country will face "no danger or pressure" because of the deal.

Sounding convinced that the deal is in national
interest, both Yadav and Amar Singh said "national interest
was a priority to them rather than politics".

They, however, insisted that they had given no
commitment to the Prime Minister about extending support as
they will have to consult other UNPA leaders.