Sonia in poll mode, sells N-deal to rural Andhra

LET THERE BE LIGHT: Nuclear deal will help light up India's villages, Sonia tells a rally in Nellore.

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New Delhi: Addressing the first rally after the Left's withdrawal from the UPA, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday hard sold the Indo-US nuclear deal in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.

In a strong rebuttal of the Left parties criticism on the nuclear deal, Sonia said there was no question of compromising on the country's security interest, nuclear programme and foreign policy. She also said the deal would help generate electricity to light up Indian villages.

Against the backdrop of allegations by former allies, Sonia said her party did not need certificate of patriotism from anyone.

“We are being accused of working against the country's interest. There will be no compromise in foreign policy or strategic programme, it is only the Congress party that made India self-reliant. Congress leaders like Indiraji and Rajivji have laid down their lives for the sake of the country,” Sonia said.

Strongly backing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, she said the country needs access to latest nuclear technology and fuel from other countries.

In the Congress Working Committee (CWC) last week, Sonia regretted the break up in ties with the Left parties but on Thursday she appeared more direct in replying to their criticism on the deal.

Referring to the accusation that the Government was going against the country's interest, Gandhi said without naming any party that "We do not need any certificate from any party or anybody about our patriotism".

The UPA chairperson also said, "The future generation would recognise the value of this agreement and value what Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) is doing today."

She said the nuclear deal was extremely important "as it would enable more nuclear power plants so that we can generate more power."

"Our demand for electricity is growing day by day. To eliminate power cuts we need access to nuclear technology and this is what we want to do for the people. We need more and more power for farms, farmers, schools, hospitals and for every single village and house in the country."

Speaking on the issue of inflation, she said Government had to face huge challenges due to unprecedented oil price rise. Hitting out at the NDA for raking up the inflation issue, Gandhi said during its regime the price of oil was $35 per barrel, which has jumped to $147 per barrel now.

Pointing out that India has to import 75 per cent of its oil requirements, she said, "This imposes a very heavy burden on us. But we have been extremely cautious that the consumer of petro-products do not suffer."

(With inputs from PTI)