Kalam says N-deal is good, so does Amar & Mulayam

Abdul Kalam has told top Samajwadi Party leaders that the Indo-US nuclear deal was beneficial for the country.

At the end of another day of political manouevrings, there were clear indications on Thursday night that the Samajwadi Party was firmly on course to striking a deal with the Congress although it put up a show of unity with its allies in the UNPA, and the Left parties appeared to delay their inevitable divorce from the Manmohan Singh government.

After a four-hour meeting of the UNPA, comprising

anti-Congress parties, Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and his lieutenant Amar Singh met former President Abdul Kalam, a strong proponent of the Indo-US nuclear deal.

“Kalam said that the deal is national interest. We will inform UNPA leaders about our discussions with Kalam, who is a well-known and respected scientist of the country. He is the father of the nuclear technology of the country,” Yadav said about his meeting with Kalam.

Story continues below this ad

Mulayam’s praise of Kalam and his statement that he

would carry these views to other constituents of the UNPA, who are opposed to the deal, is seen as a strong indication that SP, whose 39 MPs are crucial for the government in case of trial of strength in the Lok Sabha, was not averse to doing a deal with the Congress-led UPA.

A court in Antwerp passed the order initiating the formal process of bringing Choksi back to India. But, he still has options to challenge the order passed by the lower court.

Belgian court clears fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi’s extradition to India

India3 hr ago

Mehul Choksi, a fugitive diamantaire wanted in India for a Rs 13,000 crore loan fraud case, has been cleared for extradition by a court in Antwerp, Belgium. The Indian government has assured that Choksi will be held in a specific jail complex and provided with basic amenities if extradited. Choksi's extradition proceedings have advanced in Belgium and he has the option to challenge the order.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS