Cong and CPI(M) surrenders national security for Muslim votes: BJP

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 16 (UNI) The BJP in Kerala today alleged that both the ruling CPI(M) and the Congress were playing ''vote bank politics'' surrendering national security by adopting a ''soft approach'' towards Muslim terrorist outfits in the state.

Even though there was sufficient evidence to establish that the National Development Front (NDF) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) had links with Kashmiri militants, both the ruling LDF and the Opposition UDF failed to take action against those having terrorist links, BJP state president P K Krishnadas told UNI.

Alleging that both the CPI(M) and the Congress were indirectly helping such people with an eye on their votes in the coming Parliament elections, he said the ongoing investigations into the alleged links of NDF activists with Kashmiri militants were almost suspended as they feared about losing votes.

Mr Krishnadas said it seemed both the LDF and the UDF had put in the freezer Intelligence Bureau reports about Kashmiri militants' links with Muslim outfits in the state.

''If the police had continued their investigations many ''big guns would have been trapped,'' he said and added that those who were arrested by the police were ''small fishes.'' The Congress was also not spearheading any effective agitation on the isssue because of the coming elections, he alleged.

Mr Krishnadas claimed that both the CPI(M) and the Congress had got NDF and PDP votes in previous elections.

On the seizure of a large number of crude bombs in Kannur district, he said: ''the BJP will never justify or entertain weapon-politics disturbing peaceful life of the people.'' He said the government should probe the incidents and take stern action against those involved in such activities.

Countering the allegation that terrorist activities became more intense after the demolition of the Babri Masjid, he said ''it is baseless as it had happened in 1992, but terrorism existed in Kashmir since 1947.'' UNI CGV PMM SV BD1545