Need national consensus to fight terror: Rajnath

Silvassa, Dadra and Nager Haveli, Oct 18 (UNI) BJP president Rajnath Singh today said there is an urgent need to develop a national consensus to fight against terrorism prevailing across the country.

Addressing mediapersons here, Mr Singh said, ''To fight against terror it is essential to rise above partisan political interests of vote bank politics, which is affecting internal security.'' He stressed that his party will be the first to support national and international efforts on developing a consensus in fighting terror.

Alleging that a conscious effort is being made by a section of people to doubt the actions of security forces, Mr Singh said it will weaken the war on terror and strengthen the terrorists.

He also appealed to Pakistan to join hands with India with an open mind to fight the war against terror, saying that terrorism has become a greater threat than an open war with neighbouring countries and it is threatening the entire South Asia.

The BJP president expressed his apprehension that if terrorism is not contained in Pakistan, it may invite international intervention against it, which will have grave consequences. With India being her neighbour, she cannot remain unaffected in a war-like situation.

Talking about the 18 Indian sailors being kept hostage by the Somalian sea pirates on the vessel 'Stolt Valor' for the last one month, Mr Singh said India must mount its marine commandoes to rescue her citizens.

He said the United Nations' Security Council, with the consent of Somalia, passed a resoltuion (No 1860) in June this year authorising any nation to take necessary action against pirates in Somalian waters, he added.

UNI XR/PVN SSS AKJ HS1736