NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party here on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for suggesting that while the Government was prepared to talk to those leading the United Liberation Front of Asom it would simultaneously take strong action against it.

"The recent attacks on migrant labourers, mostly Biharis, was a conspiracy ... strong action against ULFA cannot go hand-in-hand with offer of talks," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

The BJP blamed the Congress for the earlier ceasefire understanding with ULFA, which gave it time to consolidate itself. Mr. Javadekar said a similar strategy of buying naxal support during elections in Andhra Pradesh and offering a truce had backfired. That had also allowed naxals the time to consolidate their position. The party blamed the upsurge of naxal violence in Chhattisgarh also on the Andhra Government's policies.

The party took exception to a Finance Ministry circular it claimed had been sent to all nationalised banks through the Indian Bank Association asking banks to disburse a certain percentage of loans to Muslims. Mr. Javadekar demanded that the circular be withdrawn.

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