We are totally satisfied with Patil's performance : Congress

New Delhi, Sep 17 (UNI) A day after the assertion of Mr Shivraj Patil that he would resign only if he is asked to do so by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, the Party today said it was 'totally statisfied" with the Home Minister's performance.

In a major relief to Mr Patil who has been facing flak from within the ruling UPA coalition and outside for the 'inept' handling of the security situation, AICC spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said, "We are totally satisfied with Mr Patil and also the Government for all the steps on the internal security front." To repeated questions on if the Congress was satisfied with the performance of Mr Patil and if there was any plan to remove him, she said, "We don't think Mr Patil should be removed. However, it is the prerogative of the Prime Minister to change the Ministers and change their portfolios." Asked if the Party endorsed the view of the Administrative Reforms Tribunal (ARC), headed by senior Party leader Veerappa Moily, that strong anti-terror legislation should be put in place to effectively combat terrorism, Ms Natarajan said, "we will endorse all steps to fight terror." Asked why the Congress, which had been maintaining that the present laws were enough to deal with terrorism, had suddenly felt the need for new comprehensive anti-terror legislation, she said such a demand was raised in the context of the changing dynamics and evolving situation.

To a question on why the Congress was opposed to the idea of bringing back POTA (Prevention of Terorism Act), the spokesperson said, "POTA was misused by the previous BJP-led NDA regime against the minorities." "We are ready to support any decision by the Centre to amend the existing laws if they are constitutional and they have safeguards against their misuse against the minorities." "What we would like to see is a strong law to fight against terror," she added.

UNI SH GT KN1913