Venkaiah Naidu seeks joint probe into Hyd blasts

Bangalore, May 19: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party Leader Venkaiah Naidu today urged the Centre to order a joint Central-State probe into yesterday's Hyderabad bomb blasts in which 14 people were killed.

Condemning the blast, he told newsmen here that there was need for a coordinated effort to bring the culprit to book. He also wanted the Centre to constitute special courts to ensure speedy trial on terrorists, pointing out the delay in cases relating to the blasts in Mumbai.

Accusing the United Progressive Alliance Government of mixing terrorism with religion, Mr Naidu said that terrorists have no religion.

Commenting on yesterday's blasts, he said it was a well thought out and planned attack aimed at weakening the country. This was not an isolated incident. He also said Hyderabad is emerging a breeding ground for terrorists.

He also stressed the need for reintroduction of the POTA (Prevention of Terrorists Activities ACt).

Turning to State politics, he expressed confidence that the BJP would be taking over the mantle from Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy after the 20 month denture. On charges that former Prime Minister H D Devegowda was blackmailing the BJP, he said that the party had forged alliance with the JD(S) and not the former Prime Minsiter.

Expressing as unfortunate, the BJP's dismal performance in the UP Assembly elections, he however was happy that the single party rule had been re-established in that state. He however said that UP Chief Minister Mayawati would not be having an easy time in ruling the state.

UNI