Terming the Indo-US nuclear deal a "slave charter", AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa has sought a Constitutional amendment making it mandatory for the government to seek Parliament's approval before signing any agreement.
"It is a stand of the AIADMK that a full-scale discussion has to take place in the Parliament for any treaty proposed to be inked with any country and only after both the houses gave their approval, the treaty should come into force," she said in a strongly-worded statement in Chennai on Friday night.
She said if an amendment to Constitution was not done, "secret deals will continue to be entered into, which will be against the country's interests."
Pointing out the reservations expressed by scientists and opposition parties in the country to various clauses in the agreement, Jayalalithaa said it was a "slave charter" which impinged "national sovereignty".
She said opposition parties, including the AIADMK, had been maintaining that the deal was of no benefit to India.
"The moment it comes into effect, all information concerning India's atomic plants would be at the hands of the US and it would no longer be possible to maintain any secrecy with regard to the researches undertaken by the scientists in the atomic power sector," she said.
{{/usCountry}}"The moment it comes into effect, all information concerning India's atomic plants would be at the hands of the US and it would no longer be possible to maintain any secrecy with regard to the researches undertaken by the scientists in the atomic power sector," she said.
{{/usCountry}}"According to a very conservative estimate, even if we over-utilise the raw materials, it will last for another 100 years," she said.
Indian scientists were doing advanced research on generating power from thorium and were also engaged in plasma research for setting up atomic power plants, she said.
"In this highly favourable situation, with our scientists engaged in research with patriotic fervour, why is the government going all the way to support efforts of those trying to prevent India from becoming a super power," she asked.
Jayalalithaa said that the developed countries were "exerting pressure" on nations having nuclear ambitions.
Many countries were refusing to take cognizance of such compulsions and were exercising their own options, besides raising their voice against such dictats, she said.
Questioning the need for "this compulsive, hasty push for the deal", AIADMK supremo said that the developments created "big doubts" in the minds of all Indians.