'NDA ditched UPA after vowing to support deal'

SIBAL SPEAKS: Kapil Sibal said he was not given to making statements unless he was 100 pc sure.

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Keywords: Vajpayee, Advani

New Delhi: Union Science and Technology Minister, Kapil Sibal has said in a startling revelation that L K Advani promised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a secret meeting that the BJP would support the Indo-US Nuclear Deal, but later went back on his promise.

Kapil Sibal also said that the principal secretary to Atal Bihari Vajpayee when he was the prime minister of India, Brajesh Mishra, who was present at the meeting could confirm this.

Sibal told CNN-IBN's Karan Thapar, "The fact of the matter is that the Prime Minister was approached and told that if he could convince the BJP leadership that UPA's strategic deterrent is intact, they might consider supporting the Indo-US Nuclear Deal. So, the Prime Minister went across in a meeting with the previous prime minister of India, Atal Behari Vajpayee, along with Shri LK Advani and Brajesh Mishra and in the course of the conversation, Manmohan Singh demonstrated that not only was the strategic nuclear deterrent in place, but the strategic nuclear deterrent capability had been enhanced, and infact even numbers were broadly suggested."

"And because Brajesh Mishra and Atal Behari Vajpayee knew of these numbers - because they had been in those positions - they were convinced. And at the end of the meeting, LK Advani said he was satisfied and that the NDA was now in a position to support the 123 Agreement. However, he wanted the Prime Minister to send them a letter. At which point in time the Prime Minister went back, sent a letter stating the conversation that had taken place," Sibal added.

"But thereafter uinfortunately, Mr Advani informed the Prime Minister, that he was not able to deliver on his promise, and that the senior leadership of the party was against the deal, and so he couldn't deliver," he further stated.

Karan Thapar: When exactly did this meeting happen?

Kapil Sibal: I am given to understand that it was sometime in December - either 20th, 21st or 22nd. I don't know the exact date, but it was one of those dates.

Karan Thapar: Are you absolutely sure of this story?

Kapil Sibal: I am not given to making statements on Public TV, unless I am sure, I am a 100 per cent sure.

Karan Thapar: You are a 100 per cent sure?

Kapil Sibal: Absolutely.

Karan Thapar: If one were to go to Mr Advani or Mr Brajesh Mishra, who you say were there...

Kapil Sibal: No, if you don't belive me, you ask Brajesh mishra, he was there. Let's not get politicians involved in this. Ask Brajesh Mishra.

Karan Thapar: In a sense you are challenging, saying that Brajesh Mishra can confirm this.

Kapil Sibal: Absolutely. I have no doubt about it, that he will because that's exactly what happened.

Kapil Sibal also revealed that former foreign minister Jaswant Singh had complemented the trio of Shiv Shankar Menon, M K Narayanan and Anil Kakodkar on a "job well done," when they went to brief him on the nuances of the nuclear deal.

Karan Thapar: I am told that there was an occasion, when the Foreign Secretary, the National Security Advisor, and perhaps the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission briefed Jaswant Singh, and I am told that Mr Jaswant Singh complemented them on the excellent job they had done. Do you know about that story? Is that true?

Kapil Sibal: Absolutely. Again your information is absolutely right. They went over, they briefed him, all three of them - and at the end of the meeting - I have the exact words with me - this is what Shri Jaswant Singh said, and this is his language: "Gentlemen, I must complement you on a job well done".

Karan Thapar: Jaswant Singh?

Kapil Sibal: yes, Jaswant Singh

Karan Thapar: Then, leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha complemented the Foreign Secretary, the National Security Advisor and the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission?

Kapil Sibal: In those same words that I've told you.

Watch the full interview with Kapil Sibal in Devil's Advocate, Sunday at 10 pm