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Cong rejects Mamata, Naveen’s views
Adopting the strategy of offence is the best defence, the Congress on Friday reminded Odisha Chief Ministers Naveen Patnaik and his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee — who are opposing the National Counter Terrorism Centre as being draconian — that they were part of the NDA Government which had passed the “draconian POTA”.
Reacting to the CMs’ letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary asked them to “rewind and play and look back in history” to remember that many of them were associated with the NDA Government which had passed the POTA that had to be repealed as it was draconian.
Rejecting Trinamool Congress’ charge that the UPA Government takes decisions without consulting its alliance partners, Renuka said the nation is facing a hard time and there could be no compromise on terror. She reminded that containing terror is a collective responsibility and stressed the need for collectively and cohesively working for it.
However, in an effort to placate a miffed Mamata, she said, “The Government is always open minded and is ready to discuss the issues with its partners. There are always ways and means of resolving the issues. The basic fact is that we must realise the responsibilities of federal structure. We are looking at national terror; I don’t think we should make any compromises.”
Dismissing Mamata’s efforts to consolidating the third alternative to challenge the UPA, she said that a Chief Minister speaking to other Chief Ministers and try to form a pressure group is part of the democratic process. “We are not unduly disturbed,” she said and added that the Congress realises Mamata’s compulsions.
Adopting the strategy of offence is the best defence, the Congress on Friday reminded Odisha Chief Ministers Naveen Patnaik and his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee — who are opposing the National Counter Terrorism Centre as being draconian — that they were part of the NDA Government which had passed the “draconian POTA”.
Reacting to the CMs’ letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary asked them to “rewind and play and look back in history” to remember that many of them were associated with the NDA Government which had passed the POTA that had to be repealed as it was draconian.
Rejecting Trinamool Congress’ charge that the UPA Government takes decisions without consulting its alliance partners, Renuka said the nation is facing a hard time and there could be no compromise on terror. She reminded that containing terror is a collective responsibility and stressed the need for collectively and cohesively working for it.
However, in an effort to placate a miffed Mamata, she said, “The Government is always open minded and is ready to discuss the issues with its partners. There are always ways and means of resolving the issues. The basic fact is that we must realise the responsibilities of federal structure. We are looking at national terror; I don’t think we should make any compromises.”
Dismissing Mamata’s efforts to consolidating the third alternative to challenge the UPA, she said that a Chief Minister speaking to other Chief Ministers and try to form a pressure group is part of the democratic process. “We are not unduly disturbed,” she said and added that the Congress realises Mamata’s compulsions.
