BJP lobbies Left to vote against nuclear deal

New Delhi: In a bid to rally forces against the Indo-US nuclear deal, BJP leader L K Advani spoke to CPI-M leader Prakash Karat and sought his party's vote against the Indo-US deal in Parliament.

"Mr Advani has spoken to Mr Prakash Karat... we are in touch with leaders of the Left and the UNPA," party leader and former external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha told reporters when asked whether this party was in touch with parties opposed to the nuclear deal with Washington over its call for a vote.

Advani and other NDA leaders have made a fresh request to the Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to allow a discussion on the deal under Rule 184 that entails a vote.

A separate notice has also been sent to Rajya Sabha secretariat for a similar discussion. "We are in touch with leaders of all political parties (opposed to the deal) for floor coordination," Sinha said.

He rejected Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement in Parliament on the deal as a "bundle of same untruths, half-truths and pure white lies" that he alleged has been "dishing out day in and day out".

On Monday, the Left had joined the Opposition BJP and the Third Front in staging a walkout over the Indo-US civil nuclear deal in the Rajya Sabha which was adjourned for the day amidst noisy scenes.

As soon as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh rose to make a suo motu statement on the nuclear deal, Leader of the Opposition Jaswant Singh sought to make a submission before the Prime Minister began his speech.

When Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachouri said the Prime Minister be allowed to make his statement, Chairman Hamid Ansari called Manmohan Singh to do so.

This triggered protests not only from the BJP and the members belonging to the Third Front but also from Left parties which extend crucial outside support to the Congress-led coalition.

As the Prime Minister began reading his statement, slogan-shouting began and in the din Singh said since he was not being allowed to speak, he was laying the statement on the table. Simultaneously, the Left and the Opposition staged a walkout.