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BJP ready to support Centre on POTA-type law
November 26, 2007

Main Opposition party Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday said that it will support the United Progressive Alliance government in fighting terrorism if it comes up with tough measures like the Prevention of Terrorism Act to tackle the fast spreading menace.

"Will the government come up with a POTA-type law?" asked senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi in the Rajya Sabha while participating in a discussion on serial bomb blasts in Uttar Pradesh.

Blaming the UPA government for not showing as much seriousness as it should have to tackle the terror threat, Joshi said that the Centre should make a firm policy, taking the views of all political parties and experts into consideration.

He said that national security was not a party issue and the BJP would support the Centre if it formulates a stringent policy like POTA against militants.

"If you make a firm policy on national security, we will support you," Joshi said.

He charged the Centre with not showing enough sincerity to the threat of terrorism.

Joshi wanted to know whether the Centre had passed any prior information about the November 23 blasts to the state government.

"If it had, then what was the state government doing? If the Centre did not provide the information to the state, then it is quite serious," Joshi said.

Earlier, BJP and Samajwadi Party members forced adjournment of the House till noon during Question Hour shouting slogans and seeking the resignation of Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

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