Fall of the Indian Government Vs. Operationalisation of the Nuclear Deal
August 21st, 2007 - by 2point6billion.comSeems like there’e a complete deadlock between the Indian Government and the Left over the Indo–US Nuclear Deal and none is going to change it mind…
Devils advocate, a classy program on CCN IBN, anchored by Karan Thapar, India’s best known television commentator and interviewer, had an exclusive interview with Rajya Sabha‘s (Council of States, the Upper House of Parliament) MP, Sitaram Yechury, on last Sunday, on how and why is the Left against the Nuclear Deal and is the Indian Government going to be “made to fall”?
The discussion was basically on two points: bringing down the government by the Left hence stopping the deal or the Left protecting the government at the cost of the deal.
The interview on CNN IBN goes like this:
Karan Thapar :
If operationalising the deal is your key concern rather than withdrawing support, then I shall put it you that the deal is in fact not going to be operationalised until the US Congress ratifies it and until India and America sign on the dotted line. And that being the case, if you withdraw support, then you can stop the operationalisation. Are you prepared to do that or not?
Sitaram Yechury :
According to the Indian Constitution, once an international agreement has been arrived upon, there is no need for Parliament’s ratification.
Karan Thapar :
Many people watching this interview will say that Sitaram Yechury faces a trade-off. He can either bring the government down, as a result stop the deal, or he can protect the government at the cost of the deal. What he seems to be indicating is that he doesn’t want to bring the government down, so he is prepared to let the deal take place even though he speaks against it.
Sitaram Yechury :
No, I do not accept the facile link-up of the deal being or not being operationalised or even the government falling down, which you are making. You are making a link-up that is simply not acceptable because it is not true.
For the entire hot discussion watch the Video on CNN IBN Live
It seems a mid term poll is very likely…in a few months to go.
So does the present 21st century India fear America? And are we seeing a shift in our political scenario with foreign policy issues taking a shape that it has today leading to Governments falling?
What’s your say?
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August 21st, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Hey thanks for that Vedio. Thappar just didnt let Sitaram speak
and i think that the Left is all set to drop the Govt. down
but thats an interesting to see happen
for sure I believe that even in the 21st C.
India’s foreign policy is dominated by US.When is India to decide for itsef… or will it ever?
August 21st, 2007 at 2:24 pm
I dont much agree. I think that govenment will give in to allies
August 21st, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is respected by the Indian masses. If his government is made to fall by the left front on this nuclear deal issue, Manmohan Singh will come back, after new elections, with a good majority.
Also after the new elections, and for reasons of continuous interference in the government affairs, left front would loose seats in the Indian Parliament and thus would have paid price for putting its foot down on an issue, they should not necessarily be fighting for.
Deal will get through, when Manmohan Singh again returns to power. Left front leaders will then be onlookers only.
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:31 am
Hey dont worry, the govt will stay. The left is already looking at ways and means to wriggle out of the mess that it has created.
Now it has changed its tune to say that the govt can talk to IAEA but cannot operationalise the deal. Then they said, a panel to look into the deal is ok with us.
The left realises that its already in a mess. Manmohan Singh & Sonia have resigned themselves to let the govt fall. In fact Mr Singh seems to have had enough and called their bluff. Congress is ready for election. The ministry of External affairs has already sent the finer details of the nuclear deal to all the congress party leaders countrywide. The whole deal shows the BJP’s double standards and the left’s China leanings in perspective.
Also all the UPA allies are together. Even if left pulls out and an election is imminent, that will be the end of Left. It will be either a BJP led or a Cong led govt. Any govt that comes WILL HAVE to honour the deal. Even though BJP always advocated swadeshi, after coming to power, they realised that “walking the talk” is too difficult. In fact, they were the ones who laid the foundations for this nuclear deal. Trust our politicians at your own peril.
Am really hoping for an election now so that the Left can be wiped out once and for all. And we can have a stable governance for the next 5 years at least.
August 22nd, 2007 at 11:19 pm
I do not see the left front getting fully wiped out in a new election. A very few of their MPs will still be selected from Indian states like West Bengal and Kerala but they will never be asked again to support the new government at centre.
Once beaten, twice shy.
August 27th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
I think that a mid-term poll may become quite unavoidable. Reason being that even if the Congress Government is not pulled down, its credibility would lessen if it is reduced to a minority in the Lok Sabha.
September 4th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
The Left has launched widespread protest against India’s naval exercises with the US in the Bay of Bengal and has warned the Govenment of the consequenses of operationalisation of the Deal.
Wonder when will things be back to normal!