Bikaner-Deoli (PTI), Sep 7: Launching a scathing attack on the Opposition, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday said it was misleading the country on the Indo-US nuclear deal which would immensely benefit India in meeting its energy needs.

The deal would not only make the country self-reliant in the power sector but would also enable it to march along with developed nations in the nuclear energy field, she told public meetings in Bikaner and Tonk districts of Rajasthan.

Lashing out at the Opposition, the UPA chairperson said it was misleading people that the nuke deal would have an adverse effect on the country.

On the contrary, the pact would benefit crores of people and make India self-sufficient in the power sphere, she told the gathering in Deoli town in Tonk district.

Gandhi said the Opposition had become an obstacle in development works undertaken by the UPA government at the Centre.

Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the Barsingsar Lignite Mine and Thermal Power Power Station, some 30 kms from Bikaner, she said the Indo-US nuclear cooperation would help the country meet its future energy needs.

It would also put the country in the league of elite nations which dominate the atomic power sector, the Congress president said lauding Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's efforts in clinching the deal.

"Prime Minister's achievement on the Indo-US nuclear deal is historic," Gandhi told the gathering.

The Congress president said the first unit of 125-MW lignite power plant would be ready next year and would benefit at least five districts in Rajasthan.