Three state CMs join hands with Naveen against NCTC; UPA in fuss

17 Feb 2012 Evaluate

In a major blow to the ruling UPA government, four chief ministers have come together to oppose the newly constituted National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). Odisha’s Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has mobilized other three states CMs - West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu’s Jayalalitha, and Bihar’s Nitish Kumar. The bunch of these four ministers preceded by Patnaik is coercing the government to “review and withdraw” NCTC.

Post her telephonic conversation with Patnaik, Mamata Banerjee has written letter to Prime Minister stating, ‘it is difficult for the state government to accept such arbitrary exercise of power by the central government/central agency, which have a bearing on the rights and privilege of the states as enshrined in the Constitution of India. The order, therefore, appears to be an infringement on the powers of state governments in matters of investigation and maintenance of order.’ Additionally, the largest opposition party BJP is backing this gang of CMs and it is reported that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is believed to jump into the tussle.

Responding to the unfolding contention, UPA2’s leader Manoj Tewari said ‘every Chief Minister has the flexibility to articulate their opinion. It’s unfortunate that the discussion is taking place after the attack on the Israeli diplomat. The reality needs to be kept in mind. If at all there are issues of transgressing the rights of the state, they will be sorted out.  The intent was to have a credible instrument to proactively counter terror.’

However, UPA-2 has decided to hold a committee meeting to discuss the issue. After setting up National Investigation Agency, Home Minister P Chidambaram has decided to set up NCTC to avert 26/11 type attacks. NCTC is slated to come into force effective March 01, 2012 and will be regulated by the director of the rank of Additional Director General with three units - gathering intelligence, analysis of intelligence and carrying out operations - and each of these division would be headed by a joint director of Intelligence Bureau.

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