Advani slams Jairam for ‘adamant stand’

Advani pointed out that the tragedy in Japan has disturbed all the countries having nuclear power plants and almost all of them have ordered a review of the safety aspect. “Against the above background,it is surprising to find GoI spokesmen practically ridiculing everyone who voices reservations about rushing headlong into the direction of new nuclear energy plants,” he wrote.

Singling out Ramesh,he said,“If any environmentalist strikes a note of caution that the tragedy in Japan should not be disregarded,particularly in parts of the country which are known to be in a seismic zone,he invites sarcastic remarks from the Environment Minister that it is ‘paradoxical’ that the environmentalists are against nuclear energy.”

Advani’s remarks as well as the party’s recent demand for a debate on the safety of nuclear plants signal a slight shift in the BJP’s approach. The party has always been a strong votary of nuclear energy. It had taken the initiative for a civil nuclear deal with the US when it was in power,although it opposed the agreement later accusing the UPA I of compromising India’s strategic nuclear programme. It then backed the civil nuclear liability Bill after the government agreed to make changes in the draft Bill as demanded by the party.