6/24/2008 8:05:25 AM
Sonia firmly backs PM on N-deal
Rubbishing rumours of growing unease between the Indian Prime Minister -- Manmohan Singh -- and the UPA chairperson -- Sonia Gandhi -- highly placed sources have told TIMES NOW that the Prime Minister has Sonia Gandhi's firm backing on the N-deal issue. The move implies that if the Left doesn't soften its stand on the nuke issue, the nation could be headed for an early election.
In 24-hours, the nation will know what the Left will force upon the country - the Nuclear Deal or snap polls.
During the last few days, there was a growing speculation that the PM had gone against the Congress party president -- Sonia Gandhi over the issue of N-deal. However, highly placed sources have told TIMES NOW that there was no doubt in Sonia Gandhi's mind on this score, especially after the PM told her that it would be difficult for him to attend G-8 Summit without a firm decision on the N-deal.
In fact, despite the urgent pleas from allies, Sonia Gandhi has not wavered and has backed Manmohan Singh on the issue of nuke deal.
Why is the Congress backing the PM?
The moot question is why the Congress is backing PM. The theories that are doing the rounds are that the party cannot risk losing face so close to the general elections, if the PM quits over the deal. The Congress also believes that the party might face an adverse impact in the general elections if the government collapses at the eleventh hour.
With Sonia backing the PM, and the Left not backing down, the meeting on Wednesday (June 25) could spell the beginning of the end of UPA rule.
Pawar, SP keep options open
NCP leader Sharad Pawar has supported the N-deal but does not want to lose the Left's support. Pawar is of the view that if there is to be a parting of the UPA and the Left it must not be bitter. Pawar's stand comes after he met CPM general secretary Prakash Karat after his meeting with Sonia Gandhi last night.
Sharad Pawar evasive on N-deal
Sharad Pawar has been touted as the mediator between the Left and the Congress, but the Agriculture minister speaking exclusively to TIMES NOW has made it very clear that he is not mediating for the N-deal. In fact, Pawar even says that his meeting with Sonia Gandhi was not over the N-deal but over other issues.
When asked whether there was any compromise formula worked out with the Left, Pawar replied that he was not dealing with the subject.
Sharad Pawar also made clear that he didn't meet the Prime Minister over this issue.
When questioned whether UPA's allies were confident since there won't be any early elections, Pawar replied that he was not contesting and so he was not worried about the elections.
Author: TIMESNOWtv
Keywords:
agriculture allies gandhi gongress indian manmohan minister N-deal pawar president prime sharad sing sonia UPA
Added: 2008-06-24T12:46:53.000-07:00
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