Congress rejects BJPs demand for JPC review of N-deal

The Congress Party on Monday went ballistic against the opposition BJP over the Indo-US nuclear deal, and rejected the latters demand for a review of the bilateral agreement by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

New Delhi, Aug 6 : The Congress Party on Monday went ballistic against the opposition BJP over the Indo-US nuclear deal, and rejected the latter's demand for a review of the bilateral agreement by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

Stating that the 'frustrated' BJP could not 'digest' the fact that an "incredible, unprecedented and historic agreement" has been achieved by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that there has never been a convention wherein an international treaty was referred to the JPC.

"The BJP in fishing in troubled waters due to frustration," Singhvi said, adding, "Making treaty is the domain of the Executive."

On the issue of BJP demanding discussion of the nuclear deal under Rule 184 that entails voting during the forthcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning August 10, Singhvi said that it is an 'unprecedented' demand.

On Saturday, a day after India and the US simultaneously released the text of the 123-Agreement that would pave the way for bilateral civilian nuclear energy cooperation, the BJP in its preliminary comments said that it would not accept the agreement as finalised.

The party demanded setting up of a JPC to examine the agreement, and said that parliamentary approval should be secured before the deal is signed.

"The manner in which this agreement has been pushed through, leads us to further demand that appropriate amendments be made in the Constitution and laws to ensure that all agreements which affect the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security shall be ratified by Parliament," BJP leaders had demanded.

ANI