This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7518664.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
India MPs to hold confidence vote | India MPs to hold confidence vote |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Indian parliament will hold a vote of confidence in the Congress party-led government that could decide the fate of a nuclear deal with the US. | The Indian parliament will hold a vote of confidence in the Congress party-led government that could decide the fate of a nuclear deal with the US. |
It comes after the government's left-wing allies withdrew their support in protest against the controversial civilian nuclear accord. | It comes after the government's left-wing allies withdrew their support in protest against the controversial civilian nuclear accord. |
Observers expect that the vote following the debate will be close. | Observers expect that the vote following the debate will be close. |
If the government loses the vote, India faces early elections and the nuclear deal would be under threat. | If the government loses the vote, India faces early elections and the nuclear deal would be under threat. |
The vote will follow a two-day debate on the nuclear deal in the parliament. | The vote will follow a two-day debate on the nuclear deal in the parliament. |
The BBC's Chris Morris in Delhi says the momentum appeared to be with the government as the second day of parliamentary debate began, but it is extremely close. | The BBC's Chris Morris in Delhi says the momentum appeared to be with the government as the second day of parliamentary debate began, but it is extremely close. |
'Horse trading' | 'Horse trading' |
Members of parliament have been summoned from their sick beds and even from prison cells to take part in the vote. | Members of parliament have been summoned from their sick beds and even from prison cells to take part in the vote. |
"Government has its nose ahead", headlined Hindustan Times newspaper. | |
"Thumbs up, fingers crossed", said The Indian Express on the front page with a picture of a smiling Prime Minister Manmohan Singh flashing a victory sign. | |
"Where's the party tonight?" said The Times of India newspaper | |
"After several days of hard bargaining and aggressively chasing opposition rebels, the numbers seemed to be eventually tilting in favour of the Manmohan Singh government," the newspaper said. | |
Analyst Prem Shankar Jha said it was difficult to predict who will win the vote of confidence. | Analyst Prem Shankar Jha said it was difficult to predict who will win the vote of confidence. |
"So hectic has been the horse trading been that it is no longer possible to predict what will happen," he said. | "So hectic has been the horse trading been that it is no longer possible to predict what will happen," he said. |
Prime Minister Singh has said the government will "prove its majority". | Prime Minister Singh has said the government will "prove its majority". |
Under the accord, India, which has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, would gain access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel. | Under the accord, India, which has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, would gain access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel. |
In return its civilian nuclear facilities would be opened to inspection. Nuclear weapons sites would remain off-limits. | In return its civilian nuclear facilities would be opened to inspection. Nuclear weapons sites would remain off-limits. |
TIMETABLE FOR NUCLEAR ACCORD Approval needed from IAEA, expected to meet on 1 AugustConsent also required from 45-member Nuclear Suppliers GroupCongress to approve deal before President Bush signs it into lawAll this to happen before Mr Bush's tenure expires on 19 January 2009 | TIMETABLE FOR NUCLEAR ACCORD Approval needed from IAEA, expected to meet on 1 AugustConsent also required from 45-member Nuclear Suppliers GroupCongress to approve deal before President Bush signs it into lawAll this to happen before Mr Bush's tenure expires on 19 January 2009 |
The communists fear the accord could give the US too much influence over Indian foreign and nuclear policy. | The communists fear the accord could give the US too much influence over Indian foreign and nuclear policy. |
The main opposition Hindu nationalist BJP fears that the deal could compromise India's ability to test nuclear weapons in the future. | The main opposition Hindu nationalist BJP fears that the deal could compromise India's ability to test nuclear weapons in the future. |
With the left withdrawing support, the government can rely on only 226 members in the 543-seat parliament, and needs 46 more to be absolutely sure of a majority. | With the left withdrawing support, the government can rely on only 226 members in the 543-seat parliament, and needs 46 more to be absolutely sure of a majority. |
Congress has 153 MPs. The biggest opposition party, the Hindu-nationalist BJP, has 130. | Congress has 153 MPs. The biggest opposition party, the Hindu-nationalist BJP, has 130. |
The Congress party hopes it will get the backing of the regional Samajwadi party and other smaller parties to help it win. | The Congress party hopes it will get the backing of the regional Samajwadi party and other smaller parties to help it win. |
India's media is awash with reports of alleged defections and desertions among MPs ahead of the vote. | India's media is awash with reports of alleged defections and desertions among MPs ahead of the vote. |
India is under pressure from Washington to sign the accord before the US presidential election in November. | India is under pressure from Washington to sign the accord before the US presidential election in November. |
Last week, Indian officials met members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the world nuclear regulatory body, in Vienna to discuss plans to safeguard India's civilian nuclear facilities. | Last week, Indian officials met members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the world nuclear regulatory body, in Vienna to discuss plans to safeguard India's civilian nuclear facilities. |
The IAEA's approval of the plan is a key condition for enacting the deal. | The IAEA's approval of the plan is a key condition for enacting the deal. |
If the IAEA signs the agreement, the deal will go to the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, which regulates global civilian nuclear trade, for approval. | If the IAEA signs the agreement, the deal will go to the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group, which regulates global civilian nuclear trade, for approval. |
It must then by approved by the US Congress before President Bush can sign it into law. | It must then by approved by the US Congress before President Bush can sign it into law. |
Critics of the deal fear assistance to India's civil programme could free-up additional radioactive material for bomb-making purposes. | Critics of the deal fear assistance to India's civil programme could free-up additional radioactive material for bomb-making purposes. |