The Congress distanced itself from Digvijay Singh on the issue of air support to tackle Naxal menace.
Congress today distanced itself from senior leader Digvijay Singh on the issue of air support to tackle Naxal menace, saying it was for the government to take a decision and there were no differences within the party on the matter.
"All support is being given to fight the Naxals. Air support, logistic support and movement of paramilitary forces is a matter of detail. Let there be no doubt on this," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told reporters here.
The spokesperson said such decisions (on air support) are taken by the government and not by a member of the Congress party, adding, "It requires discussion, it has not been ruled out."
Asked about the statement of party general secretary Digvijay Singh disapproving use of air-support, except for troop movement, Singhvi said, "It is a democracy. He has given his view. He is entitled to it".
Singhvi also sought to put to rest doubts about any divisions in the Congress party on the issue and said there were "no differences".
Asked whether the home minister P Chidambaram's hands were tied in the fight against Naxals as he had said he only had a limited mandate, the Congress leader said this had been clarified by the minister himself.
"Limited mandate is from the Constitution... The Central government has been giving all kinds of assistance but the main role to fight the Naxals is of the state government," he said, adding that law and order was a state subject and at the ground level, the responsibility was of state governments.
He, however, quickly added that the nation was one on the issue and described the measures adopted by the red-rebels as "barbaric and unthinkable violation of human rights".
Singhvi maintained that there is no criticism of any chief minister (in handling the issue). "We do not believe in politicising it," he said.
About Chidambaram's statement that he needs to revisit the issue (of air support) and go back to the Cabinet, Singhvi said, "It was a dynamic and evolving situation which required a dynamic response".
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