Manmohan was opposed to nuke tests: Jaswant

Former External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh on Sunday claimed that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was opposed to Narasimha Rao government’s plans to conduct nuclear tests. ‘‘I have information that Singh, as finance minister in the Rao government, was opposed to the tests and had cited financial problems which could arise due to the tests,’’ Jaswant told a TV channel.

The BJP leader also asked the PM to reveal whether his opinion was sought on the issue or not. ‘‘If his opinion was not sought, then it raises a question. If it was sought, what was it.’’ He said the Indo-US nuclear deal was nothing but ‘‘a rebirth’’ of CTBT.

Jaswant, who had done somersaults on the alleged mole in the PMO, demanded that the PM come up with a statement if he felt that there was no informer in the PMO.