But the discussion is likely to generate a lot of heat, if the statements made on Friday by former defence minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Laloo Yadav are an indication. The duo lashed out at the Vajpayee Government for trying to derive political mileage from the nuclear tests.

Mulayam Yadav was particularly harsh and alleged that with these tests, the two-month-long BJP-led Government had fuelled tension with neighbouring countries, especially China and Pakistan.

While Laloo Yadav welcomed the tests, he took a swipe at the BJP by accusing it of pursuing a ``hidden agenda'' of ``fundamentalist Hindutva,'' and trying to politicise the issue.

Criticising the Government in general and Vajpayee in particular, the former defence minister pointed out that the country's nuclearcapabilities were top secret and in no case should it have been revealed in the interest of both the nation and mankind.

Pulling up Vajpayee for his ``childish behaviour,'' Mulayam said during his tenure, the United Front Government had sent the Army to some ``unknown'' destination in a bid to restore peace and also to maintain international relations, but in the interest of the country, this information was never been made public. ``A sensible person like Vajpayee should not have disclosed such a sensitive defence matter,'' Mulayam said.

Mulayam deplored the fact again today that Vajpayee ``has opened all cards to the enemies'' by making public claims about India's defence preparedness, he told reporters here.

The country had acquired the capability for nuclear tests in November last but ``we did not make any such proclamation,'' he said.

Criticising Vajpayee's letter to US President Bill Clinton explaining India's nuclear tests vis-a-vis its security concerns, he said ``it gives the impression thatwe have surrendered to them.''

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Lal Khurana, however, defended the Government's action and maintained that the tests had been welcomed by most political parties.

``The Prime Minister has met 20 Opposition leaders in seven batches over the last two days to apprise them about the nuclear tests and also to evolve a consensus on the legislative Bills likely to be introduced in the budget session,'' Khurana observed.

``None of them was critical of the Government decision to go in for the tests,'' he said.

He revealed that former prime minister V P Singh had on Friday rung up Vajpayee from London congratulating him for the successful conduct of the tests and stressing the need to stay together at this crucial juncture. A similar letter was submitted to him by Muslim League leader G M Bantwala, Khurana said. The debate in Parliament on the tests will follow Prime Minister Vajpayee's statement, to be made on the inaugural day of the budget session, explaining thecircumstances in which the Government was forced to conduct the tests and their implications for the country.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Lal Khurana informed reporters that the Prime Minister will have a second round of discussions with prominent Opposition leaders before the commencement of the budget session. ``He is expected to exchange views with these leaders on the various aspects of the nuclear tests,'' Khurana said.