Rahul backs PM, claims BJP MPs also support N-deal

A GOOD DEAL: Rahul's message is being seen as an attempt to take the deal to the voter.

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Keywords: BJP, UPA

New Delhi: The strongest backing for the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has come from Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress General Secretary made a strong pitch even saying the deal was even more important that the survival of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government.

Rahul's remarks just ahead of the Vote of Confidence may make allies and the Congress party a bit uneasy. He also took on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) indicating there was a split in its ranks on the nuclear deal.

"I will have no regrets if the Government falls as the deal is good for the country. People thinking about the growth are in favour of deal. Every youth has recognised this deal. This will create more jobs," Rahul said.

With just five days left for a Vote of Confidence in Parliament, Rahul's message is being seen as an attempt to take the deal to the voter.

While Rahul may be willing to risk elections, Congress President Sonia Gandhi's concern is bigger. She has to win the trust vote and also address the concern of the allies.

Taking a decision to go for the trust vote wasn't easy for Sonia as her allies did not want to face the voters just yet and some within her party, too, had reservation.

Sources reveal that it was Rahul with his belief in the nuclear deal who helped make up her mind and so the duo decided to go for it and supported the Prime Minister.

In fact, sources say that Rahul has told party colleagues that the nuclear deal is essential for India to take on China as an economic superpower of the future.

Positioning himself as a youth icon, Rahul in fact went ahead to say that many young MPs within the BJP too were in favour of the deal.

Young MPs in the Opposition have also told me in private the deal is good for the country. They say the opposition is purely for political purposes," Rahul said.

But the BJP, engaged in cobbling numbers like the UPA, dismissed Rahul's claim.

BJP Spokesperson Rajeev Pratap Rudy said, "All this is very childish. Rahul Gandhi should stop day dreaming and it is advisable that he comes out and name the members of Parliament who he claims are supporting the N-deal.”

But Rahul's strong words are not just aimed at creating confusion in the BJP ranks.

It's also a sign that the Congress is no longer diffident about endorsing the Prime Minister's leadership and Manmohan will be the party's face in the next elections.