The Hindu : National : "Manmohan statements contradictory"

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Tuesday, Jul 18, 2006

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"Manmohan statements contradictory"

I respect the post of Prime Minister, that is why I am talking within the limits: Narendra Modi

PHOTOS: PTI, AP

ANGER OVER VISIT: Security personnel stand guard as Samajwadi party activists shout slogans against the visit of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai on Monday.

Mumbai: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched an attack on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying he had made "contradictory" statements on the July 11 serial train blasts here.

"During his Mumbai visit, Singh blamed the neighbouring country for the blasts and said the peace talks would not proceed in such an atmosphere, but later in Delhi, he said aisi chhoti-moti ghatna se varta mein badha nahin aayegi (such incidents would not affect the talks).

"Then he goes to Russia and says POTA would not be brought back... Are we serious enough for a serious problem like this," Mr. Modi asked addressing an anti-terrorism rally in the city.

Mr. Modi visits a blast victim.

"I respect the post of Prime Minister, that is why I am talking within the limits," he said.

"More jawans have been killed in such proxy wars than in the actual wars the country has fought since Independence," the Chief Minister said.

"Today, terrorists decide whom to kill, when to kill and how to kill," Mr. Modi said. "They don't have any religion. They should be dealt with in the same manner."

Earlier addressing a condolence meeting for the blast victims, Mr. Modi assailed the United Progressive Alliance Government for its "failure" to combat terrorism. He demanded that the States be given powers to enact anti-terrorist laws on the lines of the repealed Prevention of Terrorism Act.

"If you cannot bring back POTA, give the States the power to enact such laws," he told the meeting organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party's Maharashtra unit.

Mr. Modi also asked the Centre to reveal its anti-terror strategy, if any, to the Chief Ministers, if not to the public at large.

The Chief Minister has been demanding that the Centre clear the Gujarat ordinance against organised crimes, which has been pending for some time.

Mr. Modi, who had been warned by the Maharashtra Government not to make any "objectionable" statement, said terrorists should be dealt with sternly as enemies of humanity.

He urged the people to follow the path of Mahatma Gandhi in pursuing truth.

Mr. Modi claimed that while many secular leaders did not have the courage to openly speak against terrorism, they used to pat him on the back in private for taking a strong stand.

The BJP leader made a scathing attack on the Congress for "compromising" with the terrorists, whether it be the alliance with the Tamil Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu or allegedly taking the covert support of the United Liberation Front of Asom in Assam or the unanimous resolution seeking the release of Coimbatore blasts accused People's Democratic Party leader Abdul Nasser Maudhany.

Samajwadi party activists staged a demonstration near the Shanmukananda Hall in central Mumbai to protest the entry of Mr. Modi into the city. — PTI

A visit to play politics: SP

Mumbai Staff Reporter writes:

SP leader Amar Singh expressed his reservations about Mr. Modi's visit.

"This is a national problem and question of nation's sovereignty. Terrorists who carry out these blasts are neither Hindus nor Muslims. The attack is not on Hindus or Muslims but it is on India. I salute the spirit of Mumbai," he said.

Mr. Singh, who is in the city, said this was not the time to play politics but Mr. Modi's visit was only to do that.

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