Modi may play 'terror' card in LS polls
Press Trust of India
Posted: Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 0910 hrs IST
Updated: Friday, Jan 02, 2009 at 0910 hrs IST
Gandhinagar: Terror as an issue may not have paid off for the BJP in the recent Assembly elections but its Hindutva mascot and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi may not be averse to flagging it again in the Lok Sabha elections later this year.
Modi, who had exploited the issue of export of terror from Pakistan through his famous 'Mian Musharraf' campaign in the earlier elections, also feels that the Indian government has to "respond" to the Mumbai terror attacks from across the border "in their own language".
In an exclusive interview, he also spoke of the anti-terror laws passed in Parliament recently but feels that terrorism cannot be fought with the "19th century laws".
Disagreeing with the view that terrorism as an issue had not paid for BJP in the recent Assembly elections in Rajasthan and Delhi, where he had also campaigned against the backdrop of the Mumbai attacks, the chief minister said, "this theory is being propagated by a few people who wish to help Pakistan and Congress".
"In the four states (Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh and Delhi) where the elections were held, more than 600 seats were in contention. BJP won 294 while the Congress won 274. This only shows that the people have supported BJP to root out terrorism."
Terming the recent Mumbai mayhem as an attack on the country, Modi said the people wished that Pakistan should be given an "apt reply in its own language".
He termed as "eyewash" the Central government's steps like creation of National Investigating Agency (NIA) and amendments in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act after the Mumbai terror attack.
"It is an eyewash. The steps are not enough to give legal backing to fight terrorism. The only positive thing about these steps is that opinion of those who were saying that no new law is required to fight terrorism has changed. We cannot fight terrorism with 19th century laws," Modi said.
"The Mumbai mayhem was an attack on India by Pakistan. Now, India has to respond. Central government has to decide about the right kind of response that needs to be given to Pakistan. It is the wish of common people that India should give reply to Pakistan in its own language," he said.
A 'zero tolerance' policy should be adopted by the Centre as well as each and every state against terrorism like in the United States, he said.
Accusing the Congress led-UPA government of practising 'vote bank'...
Comments
» Terrorism
Posted by bali on 2009-01-08 18:42:56.018074+05:30
If you can recall, during the last assembly elections in Gujarat, the same Modi went around and said there was not terror attack in Gujarat and he had controlled every terrorists and claimed credit for his heroic deed. After the Ahmedabad blasts, he started blaming the central govt. stating that tougher laws are needed. Either his earlier claim that he prevented terrorist attack was false or his latest claim for tougher laws is wrong. POTA was in place when he became the CM. Supreme Court's order said how badly it was misused by hi. More than 100 innocents were booked under POTA in Gujarat for more than six years and only after the SC orders POTA was removed. It is not enough whether tougher laws are required, it is also necessary to see who will use them.
» "Modi" The BEST PM Bharat Can Have
Posted by Common Mumbaikar on 2009-01-07 13:04:20.858087+05:30
Narendra Modi, is the need of the hour. To give a fitting reply to the Terrorists. He is my choice as ideal PM.
» Modi does not need terror card
Posted by Raj on 2009-01-05 14:30:23.011014+05:30
Why does he need a card. He himself is a "terror."
» YOU seem to like terrorists
Posted by Shravan on 2009-01-08 14:08:55.476918+05:30
You seem to be a comgie / commie or a mulla supporter.
» What Modi should speak?
Posted by S.C. Aggarwal on 2009-01-05 12:04:27.820072+05:30
Mr. Narendra modi should inform the people of other States about what he has done for the people of Gujarat. For example, he has provided electricity and drinking water in each every house of every village. His second emphasis should be that he has provided roads and buses to every village. He should also speak that he has constructed flush/dry toilet for each and every family and provided LPG connection to every family in every village of Gujarat.
» Modi speaches in LS polls
Posted by S.C. Aggarwal on 2009-01-05 11:31:26.420654+05:30
Media is watching every word spoken by Mr. Narendra Modi and it appears that some noted journalists including self styled chief editors of print and electronic media have personal enemity against Modi. Why not the media suggest Mr. Narendra Modi what to speak in the lok sabha elections?
» Modi Leader of Terrorism
Posted by Hindustani on 2009-01-03 23:42:09.830931+05:30
Modi and Advani are the biggest terrorist of the country ,they are responsible for the increasing terrorism in the country and they are cheating the Hindus for their own gains..People should throw these types of barbarians from the country...Jai Hind....
» Modi may play terror card in LS polls
Posted by A.A.Choudhari on 2009-01-02 20:02:18.884362+05:30
It is utterly foolish of media not to understand the terrorism in its proper gravity. A lot of development without safety is of no value. We have so many examples in history where our civilized developed states have fallen prey to islamic marauders. Modi talks correctly whatever the english media may say. Foolish people abusing Modi would someday come to terms when their family members fall victims to such terrorist attacks!
» Chief of Terrorism
Posted by Ajit on 2009-01-02 18:10:26.905411+05:30
It is really a joke, the chief Terrorist of the country talking about Terrorism.
» modi is responsible
Posted by sanjana shah on 2009-01-02 16:36:27.41781+05:30
i being a hindu, is ashamed of Modi, There is nothing called killing innocents in our dharma. If they must have killed kar sevaks, it was his duty to punish/kill the culprits not innocent. In my view modi is a killer.
» Right perspective!
Posted by Hassan on 2009-01-07 21:42:21.758892+05:30
Sanjana,i agree 100% with you.If he was a true statesman, he would have tried to bring the culprits out in the light of law and punish them.Instead he gave 3 days for the Togadias and Singals to go wild in the name of protecting Hinduism.Infact these people are shame for entire Indians.
» CARD!
Posted by James Mahomed on 2009-01-02 15:15:58.587141+05:30
Terror is not an issue that is played like a political card ame. It is a real issue and all politicians and media should highlight it. Modi is right in raising the issue and if he is the only one then one has to conlude that India is doomed because he is the only one left who cares for the nation's integrity ans security. It is now well suspected that most of the security for Indian politicians is to protect them from their criminal contcts and activities.Their are hardly any leaders who are worth more to the country than the man in the street.
» modi is a killer!!!!!
Posted by Ram/Ravan on 2009-01-02 16:32:43.378013+05:30
You are not right, modi is the one creating communal tension in gujurat, muslims are marginilised by gujurat traders. He wants a muslim free gujurat and even you want the same, so he is a great leader for people like you. Anyways, this will never happen. The day modi is out from his CM post you will find his at gallows and justice will prevail. Jai hind
