Opposition to nuke deal can't change overnight: SP

The Samajwadi Party on Monday made it clear that its opposition to Indo-US nuclear deal could not be changed overnight and dismissed as "kite flying" reports that it had assured support to the UPA government in the event of withdrawal of support to it by Left parties on the issue.

"As far as the nuclear deal is concerned, I have stated earlier also that my entire knowledge of the deal is based on newspaper reports and on Left parties' briefings on it. Based on this we have a taken a stated position on the deal in and outside Parliament. To change the position overnight will not be possible unless new facts are given on it," SP general secretary Amar Singh said.

Singh, whose party is being seen by some which could come to the rescue of UPA government in Lok Sabha arithmetic in the event of withdrawal of support by Left parties, told NDTV that the SP had never said that it was ready to have a relook at the deal.

"The government has never discussed anything with us formally even today. Comrade (Prakash) Karat and government, they are in touch... UPA and Left, Laluji, Sharad Pawarji and Karat, they are part of their official government setup... As far as SP is concerned, we are not in the group," he said.

Reacting to media reports that the SP might bail out the Congress-led government if the Left withdraws support, he said, 'I am seeing all the kite flying in newspapers. I was surprised and astonished to see it....Nobody from the Congress has contacted me."

Asked about his assessment on whether early elections were on the cards, Singh said, "It seems so but I don't think so it may happen... each time there is an impending danger and then there is a truce with the Left."

Asked to react to a scenario where it comes down to UPA seeking SP's support for the nuclear deal in Parliament, Singh said SP is a part of UNPA "and it would not be prudent on our part to submit anything publicly".

He said that as soon as he comes back from the US, a meeting of UNPA would be held to discuss the political situation.

"Let me talk to my UNPA allies ... and Left leaders, then I will be able to say about my point of view in a more serious manner," Singh said.

He said he was constantly in touch with Prakash Karat and denied there were any differences between the two parties. "There is no tension between the Left, particularly with CPI(M), and our differences are blown out of proportion," Singh said.