Afzal, internal security to figure in Parliament

New Delhi, Nov 18: A NDA delegation, led by Leader of Opposition in Lak Sabha L K Advani, today old Speaker Somnath Somnath Chatterjee that they would raise the internal security issue and the delay in the death sentence to Mohammad Afzal, convicted in the Parliament attack case, during the upcoming winter session of Parliament.

The delegation, consisting of BJP Deputy Leader V K Malhotra, Santosh Kumar Gangwar and B K Tripathi of the Biju Janata Dal, called on the Speaker ahead of the Parliament session commencing from November 22.

They also informed the Speaker about the BJP's decision to move an adjournment motion to highlight the failures of the UPA government on the front of internal security and the spurt in ISI-aided terrorist activities in almost all cities across the country. The date for the motion will be decided by the Speaker, Mr Malhotra told sources after the meeting.

Mr Malhotra said the party would go ahead with its decision to organise a massive rally on November 22 outside Parliament demanding the execution of Afzal. The delay was to derive electoral benefits in the coming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttaranchal and Manipur due early next year, he alleged.

He said the prices of essential commodities had shot up by 30 to 40 per cent ever since the UPA government took over. The indiscriminate proliferation of SEZs in the country was not to promote exports but to misuse the concessions offered to these Zones.

Issues concerning the claims made by China over Arunachal Pradesh and the outcome of the talks with Pakistan would be raised in Parliament, he said.

The MPs would also raise the issue of corruption in various defence purchases during the UPA regime be it Scorpene deal or letting off the receiver of Bofors kickbacks Ottavio Quattrocchi by defreezing his London bank accounts, the senior BJP leader further said.

The party would raise the issue of ''defaming NDA Convenor George Fernandes'' by dragging him in the FIR in the Barak navy missile purchases whereas the UPA government too had purchased the same system during its tenure.

UNI