Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday assailed the Centre for “misusing” its investigating agencies to mount a political offensive on non-Congress governments, especially Gujarat.
Presenting a resolution on the “Centre's assault on the country's federal structure” on the second day of the BJP national executive here, Mr. Modi accused the Central investigative agencies of working “hand in hand with subversive elements masquerading as civil society activists” to rake up the issue of encounters with dreaded anti-national terrorists.
“Unsubstantiated and patently false charges” were continued to be bandied about against him and other State BJP leaders by the Central agencies.
Mr. Modi said the Centre's recent moves flew in the face of the Sarkaria Commission recommendations for devolution of greater financial and administrative powers to the States, and against appointment of active politicians as Governor.
“The Centre, nowadays, does not think it necessary to consult the States on the appointment of Chief Justices or Governors.” The Governors in several States “were flouting the Commission's norms regarding their roles.”
Mr. Modi cited the the Union government “unleashing” the Central Bureau of Investigation to defame and demonise him on the eve of the Swarnim Gujarat celebrations to mark 50 years of the State's formation.
He questioned the Centre repeatedly refusing the State permission to enact the law on control of organised crime, though the Bill was passed by the Assembly twice — once in 2004 and again in July 2009 (albeit with some changes). “It is common knowledge that the GUJCOC Bill contains provisions similar to the MCOCA in the UPA-ruled Maharashtra.”
In February, Home Minister P. Chidambaram ruled out the passing of the GUJCOC Bill on grounds that the “present mind of Parliament was opposed” to the Bill, which was similar to the repealed Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).
