July 22, 2008:The UPA government today emerged triumphant in the confidence vote in the Lok Sabha, putting an end to the political uncertainty that prevailed for the last couple of weeks.

The motion, which was forced by the Left parties' decision to withdraw support to the government on the Indo-American nuclear deal, ended with only 256 opposing it against 275 supporting the motion.

The day was marred by high drama when BJP members displayed bundles of currency notes claiming Rs one crore was given to them as advance by a Samajwadi Party leader to abstain from voting.

In his reply, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hit out at the Left parties saying ‘they wanted me to behave as their bonded slave.’

Singh described the outcome as 'a convincing victory' for the UPA government, the Congress and the supporting parties. He said the nuclear agreement will end India's nuclear isolation and will enable the country to enter into international trade for civilian use without any interference with the nation's strategic nuclear programme.


Chennaivision Team