The Hindu : White paper on terrorism sought

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 28, 2002

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National

White paper on terrorism sought

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI DEC. 27. In a belated attempt to challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party's claim that it is the only party fighting terror, the Congress today demanded a "white paper'' from the Centre on terrorism.

It also demanded that the BJP "use its influence" with the National Democratic Alliance Government to ensure that its demand was complied with.

The white paper demand indicated the first firm riposte by the Congress to the relentless BJP bid to make terrorism the centrepiece of its future electoral strategy.

Challenging the BJP's claim, the Congress spokesperson, Anand Sharma, said "the Congress alone has the will and the determination to confront the menace.''

He also questioned the BJP "attempt to appropriate for itself (the issue of ) national security," by pointing out that the Congress had suffered the most at the hands of terrorists and made the supreme sacrifice.

"The country will never forget that both Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi fell to terrorist bullets,'' said Mr. Sharma adding "the first act of terrorism emanated from an affiliate of the Sangh Parivar.''

He also accused the NDA of being soft on terrorists and said that acts of terror had increased since the BJP-led Government assumed power.

"This Government is weak and muddled in its handling of terrorism'' he said.

Demanding an "explanation" from Venkaiah Naidu, BJP president, on the issue of "replicating the Gujarat formula," Mr. Sharma asked "which part of the experiment is he going to replicate?''

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