New Delhi, June 14: Samajwadi Party today said it was totally opposed to deployment of Indian troops in Iraq without the mandate of the United Nations and demanded that the government should convene an all party meeting to take a decision on the matter of national importance. At a press conference here, party president Mulayam Singh Yadav accused the Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani of "succumbing" to U.S. "pressure" on deployment of Indian troops in Iraq during his visit to that country which has "tarnished the image of India internationally."
"Deputy Prime Minister went to U.S. and under the pressure of that government, decided there itself to send Indian troops in Iraq. We condemn government's decision. Such a decision should not have been taken,” he said.
The former defence minister also questioned how India could send troops in Iraq as there was no government in that country and "America was controlling that country".
He also said the country had "committed" a mistake by sending its troops to Sri Lanka and every body knows the consequences.
Asked to comment on U.P. Chief Minister Mayawati's claim that more than two dozen SP MLAs were now with her, Yadav said he would not like to make any comment on such an "irresponsible" statement. Bureau Report