Author: PTI
Publication: The Times of India
Date: September 3, 2008
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Vote_bank_politics_is_protecting_terrorists_Modi/articleshow/3440866.cms
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday
criticised the UPA government, saying the Centre lacks commitment to tackle
terrorism in the country.
Modi said he was waiting for Centre's approval
for the anti-terror law for his state. "The Centre is not giving any
reason for not approving it which is very surprising," he said.
"Vote bank politics is protecting terrorists
in the country. But in Gujarat there we will be zero tolerance against terrorism,"
Modi added.
Advani who was also present in press conference
was of the strong opinion that to curb activities of terror outfits, POTA-like
laws should be reintroduced.
"The laws to tackle organised crime in
Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are yet to get the President's assent
when a similar legislation is in place in Maharashtra, he said and described
it as "totally unjustified".
On the delay in carrying out the execution
of Parliament attack case convict Afzal Guru, he said, Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh has given "no explanation" for it.
The senior leader said the previous NDA government
also had to face the challenge of terrorism. "But it was majorly cross-border
terrorism," he added.
Advani said the scrapping of POTA was "votebank
politics and nothing else". He also said the recent violent incidents
in Orissa was wrong.
"I am happy that the Orissa government
has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incidents," he added.
