By IANS,
Somnath (Gujarat) : The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government lacks the will to tackle terrorism, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Rajnath Singh said here Thursday while promising to bring a strong anti-terror law if his party came to power at the centre.
“We can conclude that this government cannot accept the challenge posed by terrorists as it is totally confused on terrorism,” Singh told the media. He was here to tone up the BJP’s organisational skills ahead of assembly polls in five states this year as well as general elections.
“If the National Democratic Alliance comes to power, we will not only revive POTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act) but also try to bring out a law that is more stringent,” Rajnath said.
Rajnath said the Congress-led UPA’s vote bank considerations were evident at the National Integration Council (NIC) meet in Delhi Monday where it tried to keep terrorism out of the official agenda.
“Forget about our government calling a special session of parliament on terrorism, it is not even willing to mention terror in its agenda at the NIC,” he said.
“I am surprised that in the UPA government’s list of priorities, tackling terror is completely missing,” the BJP chief said.
India has seen a series of blasts this year in cities like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Jaipur and Delhi.
“Terrorism in this country has crossed the danger limit. In the whole world, India is only one such country where terrorism has become a real problem thanks to the government’s lack of strong will to tackle it,” he said.
He said Congress on chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s personal website of 430 pages, there is nowhere a single word about national security. The Congress’ very sincerity of purpose has now come into question, he said.
“I ask the centre if you are serious about terror, then evolve a joint strategy with all states on policing and investigation. I also call for a fast track court to try terror cases. Police must be given at least 30 days to detain the criminals without producing them in court. This is a must,” Rajnath said.
What is extremely worrying is that under this government, economic and cultural terrorism is also spreading its wings, he said. Fake currencies are flooding the country and even national banks possess fake currencies, he said.
This government has destroyed the economy by bringing about stagflation, he said. Growth, whether it is in the industrial, real estate or manufacturing sectors, has become stagnant while inflation is rising.
Singh said the BJP would win handsomely in all the five states going to the polls. Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Mizoram will hold assembly polls in November and December.
He said the way the UPA had behaved on the Ram Setu issue had hurt a large section of the Hindu community. It has raised questions on the very existence of Ram, he said. How can anyone bring scientific proof for issues that are connected to beliefs and traditions? he asked.
Ram Setu is a mythical bridge in Palk Straits between India and Sri Lanka. The BJP has been opposed to the Sethusamudram ship canal project, saying it will damage the Ram Setu.