Raj Babbar meets Sonia, pledges support

Congress succeeds in securing the support of rebel SP MP Raj Babbar, who met Congress President Sonia Gandhi and backed the nuclear deal.

Congress on Thursday succeeded in securing the support of rebel Samajwadi Party MP Raj Babbar, who met Congress President Sonia Gandhi and backed the nuclear deal.

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"The government is in crisis and no bargaining should take place in such a situation," said Babbar, a known detractor of SP General Secretary Amar Singh, after meeting Gandhi.

He said the Congress policy on the nuclear agreement was in favour of the country and "I have conveyed my support to the Congress President".

Asked whether he would contest the next Lok Sabha elections on a Congress ticket, Babbar said: "It is still 11 months for the election. I will contest from Fatehpur Sikri and this will not be on a BSP ticket".

Babbar said he was in favour of developmental policies being pursued by the Congress-led UPA.

Asked whether he was getting something in lieu of his support to Congress, he said, "I am not into wheeling-dealing. I am a small politician and not powerful enough to make any demand".