Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appealed to the former Prime
Minister to rise above ''narrow'' party politics and support the
Indo-US nuclear deal. Describing
Atal Bihari Vajpayee as ''
Bhishma Pitamah of Indian politics''.
''Bhishma Pitamah of Indian politics
Atal Bihari Vajpayee should listen to his conscience and let national interest prevail upon narrow politics,'' Singh said in the Rajya Sabha seeking support of his predecessor on the nuclear deal.
In his reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on President's Address, Prime Minister assured the Parliament that the government would not compromise on requirements of national security in inking the nuclear deal with the US.
While the Prime Minister mounted a strident attack on the previous NDA Government,
Manmohan Singh had words of praise for
Atal Bihari Vajpayee for his ''courageous'' steps to foster peace with Pakistan.
''The most courageous steps to build peace were taken by Prime Ministers
Nawaz Sharif and
Atal Bihari Vajpayee,''
Manmohan Singh said in an identical reply in the
Lok Sabha.
The Prime Minister said his government has continued the process with President
Pervez Musharraf.
Manmohan Singh noted that the then Prime Ministers late Benazir Bhutto and late Rajiv Gandhi started the dialogue process.
Manmohan Singh was also happy with former National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra ''coming out openly in defence of the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.''
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