BJP criticises Govt for delay in Afzal case

Vijayawada, Oct 30: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former national President M Venkaiah Naidu today criticised the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government for 'inordinate delay' in executing the death sentence of Afzal Guru, the mastermind in Parliament attack case.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Naidu charged the UPA with indulging in vote bank politics on the issue, as the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Manipur and Punjab were round the corner.

The delay was only to appease the voters in the ensuing elections, he alleged. The party would raise the issue in the winter session of Parliament, beginning from November 22.

''The attack on Parliament was an attack on the Indian democracy', he said, adding the BJP would launch demonstrations in 15 centres across the country from November 15 to 21.

Mr Naidu said the party will also hold a demonstration before Parliament on November 22. In this connection, there was a need to bring 'special laws' for dealing with the terror menace, which was rising in the country, he alleged.

The main issues before the party was to corner the Government in Parliament on farmers' suicide, price rise, Women's reservation Bill and terrorism, he added.

UNI