By IANS,
New Delhi : The day’s political events in quotes:
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh: “I don’t think it will affect the stability of the government.”
Asked when the government will go to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the point on which the Left has withdrawn support from the United Progressive Alliance government, he said: “As soon as possible.”
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat: “As you are aware, the Left parties had decided that if the government goes to the IAEA board of governors, they will withdraw support. In view of the prime minister’s announcement (on his way to Japan), that time has come.”
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi: “There are large number of people in the parliament who do not think like the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) or the Left.”
Congress Party general secretary M. Veerappa Moily: “When the entire nation is mourning those killed in the Kabul blast, the Left has chosen to make the announcement. It is most unfortunate. They think their prestige is more important than the nation’s prestige.”
Railway Minister Lalu Prasad: “There is no danger to the survival of the government. We will prove our majority in the parliament.”
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee: “You would also recall that when some members of the (UPA-Left nuclear) committee asked for the full text (of the draft of the India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA), I had pointed out that they would have to join the government in order to have access to the text.”
Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh: “We will issue a three-line whip asking all MPs who have been elected on Samajwadi Party symbol to vote in support of the nuclear deal and to save the UPA government.”
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav: “There is no question of joining the government. There is no question of divisions in the party over the decision. The nuclear deal has been welcomed by Muslims across the state.”