Rebel JD(S) MP to vote against UPA

Rebel JD(S) MP from Kerala, M P Veerendrakumar, will vote against the government in the trial of strength in the Lok Sabha on July 22 even if his party issues a whip asking its members to support the ruling coalition.

The MP from Kozhikode also appealed to JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda to immediately announce the party's stand on the nuclear deal and the trust vote as "things were clear" on the issues.

"I will vote against the UPA in the trust vote even if a whip to support the motion is issued. I am against the deal and anti-people policies of the Government," Veerendrakumar told PTI in New Delhi.

Appealing to Gowda and the party's third Lok Sabha member M Shivanna to vote against the UPA, Veerendrakumar said, "What is the need to wait till the last minute to take a stand on the trust vote when the issues are clear."

Gowda, who was approached by the UPA managers for support, is keeping his cards close to his chest and weighing options before taking a final call on the trust vote.

Detailing his opposition to the deal, Veerendrakumar said the agreement with the United States would "force" India to toe American line in the foreign policy. "We are being made a satellite of the United States," he said.

"China took 17 years to negotiate a nuclear agreement. Japan took seven years. What is the hurry in clinching this deal? The Manmohan Singh Government is rushing to the deal like preparing instant food," Veerendrakumar said.

Noting that the PM's entourage to Japan where he met US President George W Bush consisted of bureaucrats only and not a single minister, he said it indicated that Singh relies on bureaucracy only and not on the political system.