India will leave no stone unturned to fight terror: PM

Jaipur, Dec 1 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that no stone would be left unturned to fight terrorism while addressing a public rally here on Monday.

In the backdrop of the Mumbai terror attacks that killed at least 197 people and left 295 wounded, the issue of terrorism is bound to dominate the polls in Rajasthan.

"I also want to promise you that the Central Government will not leave any stone unturned in fighting terrorism. There is a request to all countrymen and political parties to help us in this fight against terrorism, and in maintaining law and order in the country," said Dr. Singh.

With the impact of the worst ever terror attack in India weighing heavy on the minds of people, the government is contemplating to raise the National Security Guard (NSG) at the State level too to fight terrorism. To begin with the special forces will be raised in metro cities, followed by the state capitals.

On Sunday, Home Minister Shivraj Patil submitted his resignation taking the moral responsibility of the Mumbai terror attacks.

Patil resigned the day after the commandos ended a three-day rampage by militants in Mumbai. He was widely criticized after a series of earlier bombings in Indian cities.

The Prime Minister assured the people that his party would not play any politics on terror.

"Today terrorism is a serious challenge before the nation, to face it we need to be united. I want to tell you today that the Congress party will not do any politics on terrorism. We want that all political parties should help in fighting against terrorism," Singh said.

Dr. Singh also defended the India-US nuclear deal, which has been opposed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Singh said the deal would boost power generation in the country necessary to sustain India's growth rate.

"Our country cannot progress without electricity. Electricity is required in every sector, be it industry, agriculture, domestic needs. For this the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has signed agreement with various countries so that generation of electricity can be increased in the coming times. But BJP is opposing this also," said the Prime Minister.

The main battle in Rajasthan Assembly polls is between the BJP, which is ruling the state, and the Congress party.

All the 200 constituencies in Rajasthan will go to polls on December 04 to elect a new state Assembly and counting of votes will take place on December 08.

The assembly elections in Rajasthan and five other states are expected to be a run down to the forthcoming general elections in early 2009.

ANI