The BJP on Monday attempted to grab opportunity created by UPA-Left differences on the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal to corner the ruling coalition,when it gave fresh notices under Rule 184 in the Lok Sabha and Rule 168 in the Rajya Sabha for discussion on the subject.
The move to revise their earlier notice came after the Speaker cited constitutional invalidity to reject it. In the previous notice, the Opposition had sought ?direction from the Speaker to the government to get a sense of the House? on the issue, which was rejected by the Speaker.
Fresh notices, while asking the government ?to re-negotiate the deal?, have urged the Speaker to allow a debate. A similar notice has been given to the Rajya Sabha chair.
The party also sought the support of the Left with leader of Opposition LK Advani speaking to CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat for his cooperation. The move, while knowing fully well that the Left would reject their appeal, was clearly aimed at embarassing the Left.
?Mr Advani has spoken to Karat…we are in touch with leaders of the Left and the UNPA,? senior BJP leader and former external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha informed reporters when asked whether his party was in touch with parties opposed to the deal over its call for a vote.
?We are in touch with leaders of all political parties (opposed to the deal) for floor coordination,? Sinha added.
Rejecting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh?s statement in Parliament on the deal, the party also said it was a ?bundle of same untruths, half-truths and pure white lies? that he alleged has been ?dishing out day in and day out?.