<b>Nuke Deal</b>: Disband panel immediately, says BJP

Taking strong exception to the setting up of a panel to address the concerns raised by Left parties on the Indo-US nuclear deal, BJP today demanded that the UPA government disband the committee with immediate effect.

Finding fault with the composition of the External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee-headed committee comprising UPA partners and Left parties, senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu said: "It is not a family or private affair between Congress and the Left. It is a public issue concerning the sovereignty, future of the country and it is an issue to be decided by Parliament."

The committee's formation after signing the agreement was nothing but a "diversionary and delaying tactic" by the Congress, he alleged.

The committee was formed as the Communists and Congress want more time as they are not confident of facing polls, Naidu said.

The UPA govenment has put the country in an awkward position by forming such a committee, he added.

The BJP has convened its National Executive in Bhopal from September 21-23 to discuss the political situation and finalise an action plan to expose what he called the "double standards and failure" of the Congress and Left parties.