Don’t politicise NCTC: Singhvi

CHENNAI: Congress Spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi today urged the political parties, opposing the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), notto politicise it and sought the cooperation of all the State governments. In a brief chat with reporters, Singhvi, who is in the city in connection with a case at the Madras High Court, said the NCTC issue should not be politicised. The proposed NCTC, said to be the brainchild of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, was scheduled for implementation from March one. It had ran into rough weather in the wake of stringent opposition from Chief Ministers of various states, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and her West Bengal counterpart of UPA’s key ally Mamta Banerjee, besides Chief Ministers of Orissa, Bihar and other states. All those opposing the NCTC said it was an attack on federalism and also infringes on the powers of the State governments. They wanted the Centre to rescind the decision. Ms Jayalalithaa, sharing the concerns of the Chief Minister, had twice written letters to the Prime Minister urging him to withdraw the Union Home Ministry’s memorandum to this effect and initiate consultations with the Chief Ministers who have voiced reservations against it. Responding to apprehensions raised by Chief Minister’s of various states, Mr Singhvi said the NCTC would not infringe the rights of the States as claimed by several Chief Ministers. ‘’It’s not aimed at intervening in the affairs of the State government,’’ he said and appealed to leaders of political parties not to politicise the issue. He also urged all those opposing the NCTC to extend their support in national interest. ‘’I appeal to all the parties not to politicise the issue and wanted all responsible state governments to extend their support to it,’’ he added. On BJP’s charge that the Centre was trying to interfere in the affairs of the Election Commission, Singhvi dismissed them as’politically motivated’. The BJP should stop making such charges, he said, on Election Commission issuing notices to Union Ministers Salman Khursheed and Beni Prasad Verma for their sub-quota remarks during election campaign in Uttar Pradesh violating the model code of conduct. To a question on the killing of two Indian fi shermen by the Italian Merchant Vessel, Mr Singhvi said the Centre was taking all steps as per law. ‘’What steps Italy will take if such an incident had occurred in their water, the same steps the Indian government is taking as per law,’’ he added.