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BJP leaders are singing different tunes about nuclear tests, charges Sonia

Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi

Congress president Sonia Gandhi today said the widely differing statements from Bharatiya Janata Party leaders on the recent nuclear tests, made her party apprehensive.

The BJP-led coalition government owes an explanation to the nation for damaging the relations with the country's neighbours by adopting an aggressive posture, she told newspersons after the general body meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party.

Though journalists were invited for tea by Congress spokesman Ajit Jogi, it was converted into a press conference. Sonia was virtually mobbed by a battery of cameramen and journalists at the venue of the tea session in Parliament Annexe. Initially she was reluctant to entertain questions, but relented later and replied to all questions with confidence.

She pointed out that while Prime Minister A B Vajpayee had talked of his keenness on improving relations with China and Pakistan, some of his Cabinet colleagues had made aggressive statements against India's neighbours following the tests. This was why her party was apprehensive about the true intentions of the BJP-led government.

Asked if the sanctions imposed by the US and other advanced countries would hurt the country, she maintained that the picture about the sanctions was still not clear. However, she pointed out that if the sanctions were imposed, it would primarily hurt "not you and me but the poor people".

Asked if the tests would give the BJP some political advantage, she replied in the affirmative. "It will give the BJP a little advantage."

When a reporter asked her whether the government's policy against China and Pakistan was approved by her, she shot back: "What are its policies against China and Pakistan?"

Earlier, at the CPP meeting, she flayed the government for failing to provide credible evidence on the deterioration of the country's security environment warranting the series of nuclear tests. She said a comprehensive strategic defence review should have preceded its decision to go nuclear.

Setting the party's line on the eve of the crucial Budget session of Parliament commencing in New Delhi tomorrow, she said while the government says the security environment has deteriorated, they have failed to provide credible evidence.

While the Congress, the main Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was with the government in the protection of national security and national interests, the ruling party should explain to the nation how the change in nuclear policy would enhance our security. It should also explain whether they went through the consequences of its actions, she asked.

With Sonia queering the pitch on the nuclear issue, it is now now clear that Parliament will witness a lively debate on the nuclear issue, and that the attempts made by the ruling party to reach a consensus on the crucial issue have virtually failed.

Sonia said the government should share with the Opposition its strategy for the future, and in particular its stand on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. "If these tests were done to improve our leverage and bargaining position in the international fora, we would like the government to share with us how precisely this will materialise," she said.

On the government citing the activities of our neighbours as the immediate provocation for the change in nuclear policy, she said, ''We should find ways and means to engage them in meaningful diplomacy rather than allow them to respond to India's actions by resorting to a costly arms race." The race, she said, will benefit nobody.

Stating that the nuclear issue was not a partisan issue but a national one, she said the Congress would carefully follow the government's management of the political, social and economic fallout of the tests. ''Scientific ability and technological competence need to be matched by political wisdom, sagacity and clear sighted leadership,'' she said in a note of caution to the government. This enjoined all to display maturity and restraint, and not indulge in aggressive and chauvinistic posturing, she said.

Making a sharp attack on the BJP's poll plank, she said, ''We do not have a stable government and there has been little evidence of this being an able government.''

She called upon her party MPs to pressure the government to continue and strengthen the number of anti-poverty, employment generation, rural housing and social security programmes their government had initiated a few years back.

Referring to rising inflation which has crossed six per cent, she said the Congress should not let the government get away with insensitive statements such as the country can do with higher inflation. The government's attitude showed a complete disregard for the condition of the poor and the disadvantaged. ''This lack of concern is also evident in the government's insensitivity to recent increase in atrocities against women,'' she added.

During the course of her address, she also spelt out areas of co-operation with the BJP government. Her party would support the legislation to set up an effective Lok Pal to put down corruption in public life, to reserve one-third of seats in Parliament and Vidhan Sabhas for women, and legislation which enhances openness and transparency in governance.

Stating that her party attached highest importance to electoral reforms, she expected the all-party committee headed by Indrajit Gupta will finalise its recommendations soon.

Additional reportage: UNI

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