'N-deal no solution to India's energy crisis'

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New Delhi: Nuclear affairs analyst Praful Bidwai is not in favour of the Indo-US nuclear deal. Bidwai vehemently opposed the nuclear deal saying it was not a long-term solution to India's energy crisis.

"It is going to promote nuclear power which is a very dangerous, highly uneconomical and flawed source of energy which cannot be a long term solution to India's energy security issues. So I am opposed to the nuclear deal," Bidwai said.

Bidwai also said that rather than put a cap on the weapons programme the deal will give India more nuclear weapons.

"Rather than promote restraint either globally or regionally. The deal will allow India to make five-six hundred nuclear weapons every year by diverting uranium to military use, and reprocessing nuclear fuel in unsafeguarded nuclear reactors," Bidwai added.

The Left parties have warned the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government that it can go ahead with the nuclear deal only at the cost of the stability of the Union government.

Even the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and members of the Third Front have opposed the deal.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also decided to bring a no-confidence motion against the UPA government though the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has ruled out joining hands with it on opposing the civil nuclear deal with the US.

"We do not share the views of the BJP on the matter, since their approach has been to bargain with the United States for a favourable nuclear adjustment while accepting the status of a subordinate ally of the US," CPI-M General Secretary Prakash Karat said in New Delhi on Sunday.

"The CPI(M) is certain not to have any truck with such a pro-imperialist party," he said.

Karat said the Left's opposition to the nuclear cooperation agreement with the US has been clearly spelt out from the outset in 2005.

"The six year record of the BJP-led government was infamous for its kowtowing to the US," Karat said adding that the NDA, in its "eagerness" to be a "natural ally" of the US, had even considered sending Indian troops to Iraq.

The BJP had called for political solidarity against the government over the Indo-US nuclear deal and asked the Left to choose between power and national interest and withdraw support to the Congress-led UPA government.

What are the possibilities in front of the government?

Manmohan Singh makes it clear that the nuclear deal has to go ahead and there is no scope for renegotiation. The Left withdraws its support but allows the government to continue as minority because it does not want to be seen on the same side with the BJP.

Government goes ahead with deal and the Left withdraws support. The government decides to call a snap poll.

The most likely situation is that the government agrees to stall and delay negotiations on the nuclear deal. The Left also agrees to give the government more time and it survives for another six months.

Lastly a very unlikely situation. Congress agrees to replace Manmohan Singh as prime minister. The nuclear deal is deferred and the Left continues its support.

(With inputs from PTI)

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