Tikamgarh, Sept 14: Congress spokesman Satyavrat Chaturvedi has said the Congress-led UPA government should not succumb to the pressure tactics of the opposition and Left parties on the nuclear deal with the US.

''Though the UPA was optimistic to complete its full term, the party cadre should be prepared for Lok Sabha election and a panel of prospective candidates should be prepared,'' Chaturvedi told a meeting of party functionaries here yesterday. ''The Congress would not further bow down before its allies and other opposition parties on the nuclear agreement. The stand of BJP and left parties against the deal was detrimental to the interests of the country'', he said.

He recalled Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's clarification that the agreement with US was in India's favour because of its long-term benefits. Besides increasing nuclear energy availability, it would also help strengthen our technology. Referring to opposition to the Sethusamudaram project off Rameshwaram coast to facilitate smooth passage to ships in Palk Straights area, Chaturvedi said the project was conceptualised when Atal Bihari Vajpayee headed the NDA government and the UPA government was only continuing it.