BJP blames Govt. over its lenient approach against terrorism

New Delhi, May 17 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday slammed the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government over its lenient approach to contain terrorism.

Addressing media persons in the national capital on Monday morning, BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy alleged that the central government was lenient towards convicted terrorists like Afzal Guru.

"The BJP demands an explanation from the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, about the comfort and aid that is being provided to Afzal Guru," said Rajiv Prasad Rudy.

Afzal Guru had been awarded death penalty by the Supreme Court in 2004 for his involvement in the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament House.

udy also slammed Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, who, earlier in the day, denied that the Union Home Ministry had sent her a letter on the Afzal Guru case.

Rudy said that her statement could be interpreted in a different ways and one of those perspectives suggested that the Delhi government was 'pro-terrorism'.

The Central Government must answer this by issuing a statement, he added.

Rudy blamed the Government of adopting a 'dual policy' with terrorists, that was sending a negative impression on the international community.

"When it relates to the conviction and hanging of Indian citizens, they have a different yardstick. Possibly this is the reason why two of the accused in the 26/11 who happened to be Indian nationals did not get the right prosecution," said Rudy.

Meanwhile, the ruling Congress party went into a damage control mode.

At a press briefing, Manish Tewari, spokesperson of Congress party launched a counter attack on the BJP and highlighted the alleged role of Hindutva elements in a spectrum of blasts across India.

He also remarked that those criticising the ruling coalition were involved in 'opportunistic' politics.

"The alleged organisations which perpetrated the Malegaon, Mecca Masjid, Modasa and the Ajmer blasts belonged to the right winged RSS ideology," said Tiwari in New Delhi.

He also contended that Congress was the only party in India that had upheld the principles of secularism, and had been vocal about its stance unlike the other parties posing as secular in their nature.

Meanwhile, in a shocking incident Maoist-targeted innocent civilians travelling by a private bus in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district on Monday evening, leaving about 30 persons killed. (ANI)