Saturday, February 11 2006 12:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Lucknow: The Telegu Desam Party (TDP) today (Feb 11 2006) assailed UPA Government for opposing Iran's controversial nuclear programme at the recent IAEA meeting and said it would support the proposed no confidence motion by Samajwadi Party in Parliament on the issue.

Joining the opposition tirade against the Government on the issue, TDP leader and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said the UPA Government had acted against the spirit of non-alignment with its stand at the meeting of the global nuclear watchdog.

"India is a non-aligned nation and by voting against Iran, the UPA Government has acted agaisnt the spirit of non-alignment," he said adding that the TDP would support the no confidence motion proposed by the Samajwadi Party in Lok Sabha in the upcoming session.

"India is a big and secular nation. Supporting the United States' policy under pressure is not a good omen for the country politically," he told sources after a meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party President, Mulayam Singh Yadav here. This issue has also spoiled India's relations with other nations, he observed.

Terming the proposed no confidence motion as complying with the promise made to the public at a joint rally with the left parties recently, Yadav who was also present in the press conference, said that his party has accorded top priority to the issue.

Yadav said that Naidu's support on the matter was the beginning of his party's endeavour to elicit support of other secular parties on the issue.

"India had a standing as a non-aligned nation which has now been destroyed," he said adding this issue has jeopardised national interest.

On a query whether his party would withdraw support to the UPA Government over the matter, Yadav said that the national executive meeting of the party would decide as to what decision has to be taken in this regard.