The BJP may have supported and helped the UPA government to mid-wife the Nuclear Liability Bill through Parliament, but they appear to be goading Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take on US President Barack Obama on the outsourcing row.
BJP spokesperson and general secretary Ravi Shankar Prasad dared the Prime Minister to take up the matter with US President Barack Obama, rather than maintaining what he characterised as ?the Prime Minister?s usual conspicuous silence.?
?It is indeed ironical that the US, the biggest supporter of the free market and or world trade is seeking protectionism where low-cost economies like India have, through their software, low-cost technology left a mark on the world,? he said.
?It is again ironical that in any global discourse the US takes a hostile position when anything imposes upon US interests,? he said. ?Manmohan Singh claims an outstanding nature of Indo-US relations under his tenure, the BJP also supports those relations. President Obama has said in the past that whenever Singh speaks the world listens, now Obama speaks the language of protectionism. Will Singh speak out or maintain his usual conspicuous silence,? he said.
?The BJP is proud of our Indian companies which have made a name for India on the international stage,? he added. The BJP?s position is cleverly nuanced in the sense that it is not as much anti-US as pro-Indian companies and dares the government to act on behalf of Indian companies. The middle class base which the BJP banked on seemed to have deserted it for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the past elections. The party, it seems has realised that.