Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the opposition party staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha calling PM’s explanation as unsatisfactory.
Resentment from opposition as well as Congress
Criticism is imminent not only from the opposition, but also from the Congress party.
“There are clear contradictions between what was released from Sharm-el-Sheikh and what we heard in the two Houses,” a senior leader of the Congress party quoted immediately after Manmohan Singh justified his stand on the issue.
Singh’s take
Meanwhile, defending his stand, the PM said, “It does not mean any dilution of our stand. It only strengthens our stand.”
He said that the starting point of any “meaningful dialogue” will solely depend on the actions taken by the Pakistan government to stop cross-border terrorism.
He also cautioned saying, “Whether, when and in what form we broaden the dialogue with Pakistan will depend on future developments.”
He ruled out that he had reversed nation’s long-standing position during the recent talks with the Pakistan President, Yousuf Raza Gilani in Egypt.
The PM added that he had asked Pakistan for initiating a sustained and credible action against those behind acts of terrorism including the suspects involved in Mumbai attacks.
