“A suggestion has been made recently that, as the domestic laws of the US are the ones that are causing the problem, we should examine whether we can alter our laws, such as the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 in such a way as to insulate our strategic objectives. If that can be done, we should strengthen our laws, and, on the basis of those altered laws, renegotiate the 123 Agreement,” said Advani.

This is the first time that has Advani used the word “renegotiate” in his critique of the Indo-US nuclear deal.

His statements had not been in tune with the party’s official position that the deal is “unacceptable” and must be “renegotiated.” Evidently under pressure from party colleagues, he issued a statement today, endorsing the party position and denying that his earlier statements implied any divergence from the position of the BJP.

“My interview with The Indian Express at Hyderabad about the Indo-US nuclear deal is sought to be projected as the party’s U-turn from its earlier position. Actually it was intended to clarify how the BJP’s opposition to the Agreement stems from considerations of pure national interest, and not from any kind of anti-Americanism which may be motivating the Leftist parties,” he said.

“The position of the BJP on this vital question has been stated consistently and unambiguously in a series of statements over the last two years. Each of the statements has been fully deliberated upon and approved by the senior most leaders of the party under the guidance and in the presence of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. These are the statements that my colleagues, Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie were asked to release to the media. These statements embody the party’s considered view on every aspect of the deal. There is no change in that position,” he said.

“The 123 Agreement is the first step towards operationalizing the Hyde Act, and other US laws. Several of the requirements of those laws have been built into the 123 Agreement.” “These facts are indisputable — and just as unacceptable. They push the country not into a ‘strategic partnership’ with the USA but a ‘strategic subservience’ to the USA, which the BJP cannot accept,” he said.

After Advani made the statement to The Indian Express, there was a flurry of activity in the party. While leaders uncomfortable with the party’s strident positioning empathized with Advani’s attempts to make amends, a more influential section felt his public rejection of the position officially articulated by Sinha and Shourie did the party no good. For many, it was also an opportunity to settle scores in the simmering internal feud. After a meeting at Vajpayee’s residence on Wednesday, attended by Shourie and Sinha among others, Advani’s clarification was decided upon.

Eased out after his Jinnah statement, Advani has been trying to get back in control of the party in recent months. He spearheaded the BJP campaign against the UPA presidential candidate and has been talking to the RSS on its relations with the BJP. More recently, he tried to set the party agenda on the nuclear deal, but given the flip-flop that it has led to, Advani has not exactly been successful.