Sonia backs PM, hardsells nuke deal to aam aadmi

Sonia Gandhi said there was no question of compromising on the issue and 8216;the future generation would recognise the value of this agreement, value of what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is doing today8217;.

8220;What the country needs most is to go ahead with pride the politics that unites and not the kind of politics other parties do, spreading hatred. We don8217;t need the politics of division.8221;

She said the nuclear deal was extremely important 8216;as it would enable more nuclear power plants so that we can generate more power8217;.

8220;Our demand for electricity is growing day by day. To eliminate power cuts we need access to nuclear technology and this is what we want to do for the people. We need more and more power for farms, farmers, schools, hospitals and for every single village and house in the country.8221;

Touching upon the issue of inflation, she said government had to face huge challenges due to unprecedented oil price rise.

Hitting out at the NDA for raking up inflation issue, Gandhi said during its regime the price of oil was USD 35 per barrel which has jumped to USD 147 per barrel now.

Pointing out that India has to import 75 per cent of its oil requirements, she said, 8220;This imposes a very heavy burden on us. But we have been extremely cautious that the consumer of the petro products do not suffer.8221;

She added, 8220;We need more and more power for farms, farmers, schools, hospitals and for every single village and house in the country.8221;

Touching upon the issue of inflation, she said government has to face huge challenges due to unprecedented oil price rise.