Its foreign policy priorities, track record in govt has the BJP thinking on the deal

The BJP8217;s public posturing on the Indo-US nuclear deal may remain stiff but the party is conscious that it is not consistent...

The BJP8217;s public posturing on the Indo-US nuclear deal may remain stiff but the party is conscious that it is not consistent with its stated foreign policy priorities and its track record in government.

A meeting of BJP core committee and office bearers ahead of the Parliament session starting November 15 will take stock of the situation and finalise the party8217;s position. A meeting of NDA constituents will also be convened before the session to discuss the issue. The party will give notices for discussions under both Rule 184 and 193, the first entailing voting and the other without voting.

The BJP had disrupted the monsoon session insisting on a debate only under Rule 184 but the party is clearly willing for a debate without voting this time. 8220;We will give notice under both rules and the final decision will be taken later,8221; said V K Malhotra, BJP deputy leader in Lok Sabha. The party is also not likely to insist on its demand for a joint parliamentary committee JPC.

The BJP has already dissociated its position on the deal from the Left8217;s, by repeatedly emphasizing on its commitment to good relations with the US.

8220;I have told Kissinger that the BJP is all for good relations with the US. In fact, he also seemed to have appreciated our concerns regarding the strategic programme. I also told him in a lighter vein that it was his decision to send the Seventh Fleet to the Indian Ocean in 1971 that prompted Indira Gandhi to go nuclear,8221; Leader of Opposition L K Advani told The Indian Express.

According to Advani, his meeting with Kissinger on Monday was very good and both tried to understand each other8217;s position.

Though the BJP8217;s public demand has been for 8220;renegotiating8221; the deal, the emphasis has now been shifted to getting a reassurance on maintaining India8217;s credible nuclear deterrence and independent foreign policy. During his meeting with US Ambassador David Mulford on Monday, BJP president Rajnath Singh did not suggest renegotiation but only outlined the BJP8217;s concerns that required to be addressed. Singh also underscored party8217;s commitment to increasing engagement with the US in all fields.

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The BJP8217;s emphasis on good relations with the US even while the US is stating that the nuclear deal is central to it indicates that the party has not said the last word on it yet. The BJP expects some statements by the government on these aspects that could enable the party to walk the next step. BJP leaders do admit that it committed a mistake by aligning its opposition to the deal so similar to the Left8217;s and the UNPA8217;s but acknowledge that amending it now requires a lot of manoeuvring.