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BJP criticises handling of internal security

Special Correspondent

Accuses UPA of mismanaging economy

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday accused the Manmohan Singh Government of allowing the internal security situation to deteriorate, betraying the "aam aadmi" [common man] by mismanaging the economy and indulging in vote bank politics for narrow gains.

Resolutions to this effect were adopted at the party's office-bearers meeting, convened here to discuss the agenda originally drawn up for the July 21-23 national executive meet, since postponed. Briefing presspersons, senior leaders Jaswant Singh and Sushma Swaraj said party matters were not discussed. The focus was on the UPA Government's performance in 14 months of office. "The office-bearers expressed grave concern at the "sharp deterioration" in the country's internal security situation ever since the Congress party, in a post-election arrangement of unprincipled convenience with the Left Front, installed itself into office... ," Mr. Singh said reading out from a resolution.

The BJP demanded that the Government "honestly" implement the Supreme Court judgment on the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act; wind up the Group of Ministers established for the purpose; prevent illegal migration by vigorously enforcing the Foreigners Act 1946 and complete border fencing on the Bangladesh border at the earliest.

Other demands included a white paper on "Illegal migration, its status, consequences and remedial action needed," checking the growth of madrasas and proselytising activity in the entire north-east, a multipurpose identity card and a national register of citizens, status report on the spread of naxalism and restoration of the Prevention of Terrorism Act or similar legislationto thwart anti-national activities.

FDI in retail trade

In a resolution on the economy, the BJP opposed the proposal to open up the retail sector to foreign direct investment. It would affect the viability of small enterprises and have a debilitating effect on the livelihood of lakhs of people engaged in retail trade, it said.

The Congress-led Government had not only eroded the living standards of the common man, its mismanagement of the economy had stymied progress as well. The Government had failed to cushion consumers against the rise in petroleum prices, which rose by 30 per cent in a year. The condition of farmers had worsened and the "share of agriculture in India's Gross Domestic Product had dropped.Expressing alarm over "the effects of policy incoherence on the overall economic progress of the country," the BJP said that "after inheriting an economy that was heading for double-digit growth, the UPA has squandered the legacy of the erstwhile National Democratic Alliance Government."

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