By IANS,
New Delhi : Calling for a strinent law to fight terrorism, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Friday accused the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of lacking the political will to combat the menace.
The Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), framed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government but repealed by the Manmohan Singh government, was the only reply to terrorism, said Modi, who has emerged as the mascot of the party’s anti-terrorism campaign.
“The government is not bothered if innocent people die in terrorist attacks, but they express concern over a strict law that may hold an innocent based on suspicion,” Modi said during the BJP’s anti-terrorism rally at Karol Bagh here.
“This is nothing but vote bank politics, which will reduce us to ashes,” added Modi in his trademark flamboyant style.
Modi also expressed his faith in police. “They need our support to perform best and we have given this support to the police in Gujarat,” said Modi.
Accusing the UPA government of minority appeasement, he questioned why it was quiet when the Indian Mujahideen’s emails justified terrorism in the name of god and made anti-Hindu statements.
“I do not give any message to the terrorists. I take action. We believe in the policy of tit-for-tat,” said Modi to the cheers of his party cadres.
“To combat terrorism today, we not only need a modern anti-terror law but also technologies to help investigations. Gujarat is the only place in the world to have a university for internal security, called Raksha Shakti University. To fight hi-tech terror, we’ll also have a forensic science university.”
The BJP’s prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani said: “Earlier, terrorists only came from outside India, but during the government led by Manmohan Singh, we cannot say this anymore.”
He said people would have a chance to opt for a change with assembly elections in Delhi later later this year, followed by general elections next year.
The BJP has started its campaign for Delhi elections and will hold another rally here Sep 21.