Malhotra criticises Congress dual stand on terrorism

New Delhi, Oct 5 (UNI) BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra today criticised the Congress-led UPA government for taking dual stand on terrorism.

Mr Malhotra said on one hand the government had announced an ex-gratia of Rs 11 lakh for the deceased police officer M C Sharma, who was killed in an encounter with the terrorists in Jamia Nagar in South Delhi, but on the other hand were expressing their doubts on the encounter. The government had also offered legal help and financial assistance to the accused.

Talking to newspersons here at a luncheon meeting at his residence, BJP's Delhi Chief Ministerial candidate said the same UPA governmnt has offered financial assistance to the accused for their defence. Union Minister of Human Resource Development Arjun Singh has supported Jamia Millia Vice-Chancellor Mushirul Hasan's stand for bearing the legal costs of the alleged terrorists.

Accusing the UPA government of having soft policies on terrorism, he said they have totally failed to provide security to the people, whereby terrorist activities and the serial blasts were witnessed in many parts of the country, including Delhi.

He alleged that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Shivraj Patil were more worried about their parties' vote bank and were supporting the banned terrorist outfit SIMI.

Criticising the role of UPA govt after Pakistani flag was hoisted in Assam and the Kashmir Valley, Mr Malhotra said the government should be ashamed to witness such anti-national acts and was not able to take any action against the culprits.

The BJP Central Parliamentary Board recently announced the name of Mr Malhotra as the Chief Ministerial candidate in the Delhi Assembly elections, which are due next month. Other aspiring candidates for the post were senior BJP leaders, Dr Harsh Vardhan and Vijay Goel.

Delhi Mayor Arti Mehra and Mr Goel were present at the occasion but Dr Vardhan was conspicuous by his absence.

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