Congress 'soft' towards "jihadis" in NE: BJP

Shillong, Nov 30 (UNI) The BJP came down heavily on the Congress for being 'soft' on the rising threat of 'jihadi' elements in the North Eastern states.

''We are concerned about the rising threat of the jihadi elements in the region,'' BJP leader Bimalangshu Roy told reporters here today.

The concern expressed by the BJP leader assumed significance in the backdrop of the BSF's revelation that the militancy in the region is being supported by the Islamic fundamentalist and External Intelligence agencies.

Mr Roy, who was here to supervise the state BJP unit election, also criticised the Congress for ''delaying'' Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru's death sentence.

''Their delay has proved now of how soft they are towards the militants,'' Mr Roy stated.

The BJP was also critical of the Congress party in Meghalaya for having failed to bring in development in the state during the last 34-years. He said the present political crisis within the state Congress has jeopardised implementation development projects in the state.

Earlier, in the day Mr H Syiemlieh was unanimously elected as ''new president of Meghalaya state BJP here today to succeed ''former'' president Alexander L Hek at the end of his three year term. Besides, the election of Mr Syiemlieh as the new president, the state BJP also unanimously elected two national council members Arnab Das and S A Sangma.

The election was held under the supervision of BJP Central Returning Officer Bimalangshu Roy and Zonal Secretary V Satish zonal and BJP Rajya Sabha Member Indramoni Bora.

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