Author: Correspondent
Publication: The Asian Age
Date: June 2, 2006
The BJP has been quick to accuse the Maharashtra
government of being soft on terrorists for the sake of its minority votebank.
Making political capital of the incident where terrorists were able to reach
within 300 yards of the RSS headquarters, Nitin Gadkari, a senior leader and
former BJP minister, said: "The soft corner for the minorities has led
to growing aggressiveness of terrorist groups in the state."
He alleged that "Bin Laden culture"
is being strengthened in Maharashtra, judging by the weapons and RDX seized
by the police from militants in the state. He cited the instance of the accused
in the Ghatkopar bomb blast case being released only because the government
did not prepare a good case as it is soft on the minorities.
In New Delhi, the RSS condemned the terrorist
attack on its headquarters and appealed to all its cadres to "stay calm".
It also flayed the UPA government for going soft on terrorism. Former Prime
Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee also condemned the attack.
BJP president Rajnath Singh held the Centre's
policies responsible for the "increasing" incidents of terrorism.
He said, "The RSS is the largest social and cultural organisation in
the country and indisputably an aggressively patriotic organisation. The terrorist
bid is an attempt to attack the symbol of nationalism in the country's social
life. It is also aimed at frightening the country's majority community, which
is condemnable."
Mr Gadkari acknowledged the great job done
by the police in apprehending the terrorists in Nagpur and spoke to Maharashtra
deputy chief minister R.R. Patil to congratulate him.
