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'NDA leaders concerned over Bihar situation'

By K.V. Prasad

NEW DELHI, FEB. 16. Leaders of the ruling National Democratic Alliance have expressed their concern over the recurring law and order problem in Bihar and appealed to the Congress and the Left parties to pull out from the Rashtriya Janata Dal-led Government in the State, the NDA convener and Defence Minister, George Fernandes, said here today.

Speaking to presspersons after a meeting of the coalition partners ahead of the budget session of Parliament, Mr. Fernandes said the Railway Minister, Nitish Kumar, had briefed the meeting on the plans of the State NDA to launch a campaign against the Rabri Devi Government.

Taking the cue, the Trinamool Congress chief, Mamata Banerjee, demanded a similar campaign in West Bengal. She charged the Left Front Government in the State with turning a blind eye towards the increasing incidence of murder, violence and rape.

The former Punjab Chief Minister and SAD chief, Parkash Singh Badal, expressed his grievance against the Amarinder Singh Government. The Congress regime was harassing the SAD leaders and former Ministers, he alleged. The NDA condemned these actions.

T. R. Baalu, representing the DMK, suggested that the Government intervene in the POTA case against the MDMK leader, Vaiko, currently in jail. The Government said that since a Section of POTA had been challenged in court, the Centre would give its stand when it gets notice. Mr. Fernandes said that on the basis of his interaction with Mr. Vaiko, he told the meeting that the jailed Tamil Nadu leader neither wanted the Government nor anyone else to take steps to secure his release.

The External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, briefed the meeting on India's assessment the Iraq situation and its possible impact on India and its economy.

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