New Delhi: After Left's U-turn, the UPA Government is trying to win over the Opposition BJP on the nuclear deal ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament, which begins on Thursday.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called on BJP patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Wednesday night to discuss the Indo-US nuclear deal, on which the saffron party has hardened its stand by demanding a renegotiation.
Singh drove to the former PM's 6A, Krishna Menon Marg residence and held deliberations on the current political situation. Leader of the Opposition LK Advani was also present at the meeting.
PMO spokesman Sanjaya Baru confirmed that the PM discussed the nuclear deal with the former PM. "In the course of the meeting, the two discussed the current political issues, including the nuclear deal," he said.
The Prime Minister's initiative to meet Vajpayee assumes significance as the BJP had last week demanded renegotiation on the deal, saying the agreement in its present form compromised India's long-term strategic programme.
The BJP stand, finalised at a meeting of senior party leaders on November 7, had scotched speculation that the saffron party was ready to cast aside its opposition to the deal following a series of meetings that US Ambassador to India, David C Mulford, had with party top brass, including its President Rajnath Singh and Advani.
With the nuclear deal set to be one of the main issues in the brief session of Parliament, the government is aiming to mould a political consensus on it.
The PM conveyed his good wishes for Deepavali to Vajpayee and also enquired about his health. The 82-year-old Vajpayee has been keeping unwell for the past few months. He was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences recently where he underwent treatment for a week.
(With PTI inputs)
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