AP CM denies Govt soft with AIMIM on Taslima issue

Hyderabad, Aug 13 (UNI) Denying the charge that the Congress Government was ''soft'' towards the Legislators of the ''friendly'' All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), who attacked controversial Bangladesh writer Taslima Nasreen, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today asserted that his Government ''will fulfill its Constitutional obligation''.

Talking to newspersons here, he said cases had been registered by the police against the legislators, as also Ms Nasreen, based on their complaints filed against each other. Police would take appropriate action after thoroughly investigating the cases, he added.

''Mere registration of cases do not mean that the Government has acted this way or the other,'' he said.

Dr Reddy dismissed as ''hypothetical'' the question about what the Government would do, if AIMIM chose to carry out the Fatwa issued against her, if she dared to visit Hyderabad again. ''The Government will always protect law,'' he added.

The Chief Minister said the police had taken cognisance of the statement of AIMIM Legislature Party leader Akbaruddin Owaisi.

Mr Owaisi had threatened to carry out the ''Fatwa'' issued against her, by eliminating her, if she stepped into Hyderabad again.

Parrying a question, whether Mr Owaisi attracted the provisions of IPC section 307(attempt to murder), Dr Reddy said, ''I am not a legal expert.'' UNI SM VA VD DB1828