NEW DELHI, Aug 18(AFP): India's embattled Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, under fire over a civilian nuclear deal with Washington, says the opposition performed religious rituals for his demise.
Singh told India Today weekly news magazine in comments published on the weekend that he was disappointed with the Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) over its reaction to the deal.
"They didn't even believe that I would last the prime minister and some leaders even did havans (Hindu rituals) that I should die on a certain day," Singh told the magazine.
"It (the agreement) requires a big leap in approach and the attitude of BJP is disappointing." Singh gave the interview in June with the understanding that it would be published only after the Indo-US agreement was reached.
Singh has drawn heavy criticism from both the opposition and the government's communist allies over the pact that was clinched last month.
The agreement seeks to permit New Delhi to buy atomic fuel, technology and plants even though it is not party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but critics say it would limit India's strategic options.
Indian PM says opposition prayed for his death
FE Team | Published: August 19, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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