Centre rubbishes Madani’s charge of IB conspiracy

A file picture of PDP leader Abdul Naser Madani. Photo: S. Gopakumar

Dismissing Abdul Nasser Madani’s charge that there was a conspiracy to implicate him in the Bangalore blasts case, the Centre on Sunday said the PDP leader need not be scared if he was innocent.

“Why should he be scared if he is innocent? If he is innocent he can prove that in the court,” Union Minister of State for Home Mullapally Ramachandran told reporters.

On Mr. Madani’s claim that he was a victim of a “deep-rooted conspiracy” by intelligence agencies, the Minister said “If Mr. Madani was harassed by any official or anybody acted beyond his powers, he will definitely be taken to task“.

Mr. Ramachandran said Mr. Madani will have every opportunity to prove his innocence in court.

Asked whether Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI had its influence in Kerala, he said “It is difficult to say no. There are some areas in Kerala where ISI has its influence. But, I cannot disclose the details.”

He, however, said the Left extremism was not a serious problem in the State.

Mr. Ramachandran said he did not think that use of armed forces was necessary to tackle Maoists.