Chhattisgarh's in-camera sitting was cowardice: LSP

Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, July 29 (UNI) Veteran socialist leader and Loktantrik Samajwadi Party President Raghu Thakur has termed the Chhattisgarh Assembly's recent in-camera sitting to discuss the naxal menace an act of cowardice.

Talking to mediapersons here today, Mr Thakur said, ''The Vidhan Sabha is an open forum for discussion. People have every right to know their representatives' views and steps taken by them to curb Maoist violence.'' Lambasting the government, he alleged that scanty rain was a major cause of concern among farmers in several parts of the state and the ruling BJP was busy tackling infighting, leaving administration on the brink of collapse.

''More than a dozen tribals were claimed by diahorrea in Chief Minister Raman Singh's home district Kabirdham, what to speak of remote areas and unreported fatalities,'' Mr Thakur added.

Responding to a pointed question, the one-time close associate of legendary socialist Jayaprakash Narayan accused the UPA regime of turning Nelson's eye on national interests in the context of the Indo-US nuclear deal.

''The opposition BJP is working like a B team for the Congress and is not sincere over such a crucial issue involving long-term security concerns,'' he added.

UNI