Congress mum on continuance of National Security Advisor post

Congress today steered clear of the issue on the continuation of the post of National Security Advisor (NSA) in the wake of M K Narayanan's exit from there and the government planning a National Counter Terrorism Centre.

"Congress party gives its inputs in confidence (to the government) in such important matters. We are not at the liberty to share it with the media," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told reporters when asked about the party's views about the continuance of NSA.

Asked to comment on the statement of Vice-President Hamid Ansari, who yesterday said there was need for a Parliamentary
intelligence oversight committee, Singhvi said, "This is a very serious and important issue."

He added that a healthy debate on the restructuring of the intelligence in the country has begun and the inputs received from various quarters would be discussed in the cabinet, which will take a decision. He said the country is moving towards a new architecture of intelligence.

A senior Congress leader, on condition of anonymity, said that though there could be a scope for some monitoring, there should be a strict no go for any parliamentary committee into some core areas of intelligence.

The party's remarks have come at a time when the government is planning a complete overhaul of the security apparatus, including recasting the role of the NSA. 

India's first National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra has already suggested abolition of the key post contending that the person holding it was not accountable to the parliament.