NIC bracing for fireworks in Orissa

UPA ready to rake up communalism, NDA to take up terror laws

NEW DELHI: The National Integration Council meeting slated for Monday, being held amid the backdrop of the communal carnage in Karnataka and Orissa, is likely to see fireworks. While some UPA allies are preparing to rake up the issue of banning the Bajrang Dal for its alleged hand in the violence, the BJP is prepared with its pet theme of terrorism and need for tough laws.

The saffron brigade, spearheaded by Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, made its intentions known when Modi and his Rajasthan counterpart Vasundhara Raje blamed the Centre for not including issues such as terrorism on the meeting’s agenda. Inclusion of Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh as a member of the NIC, days before the meeting, has also given the BJP-led NDA ammunition to question the Centre’s motive in view of his observations on Delhi Police’s role in the recent Jamia Nagar encounter.

However, the BJP’s attempt to rake up terrorism is being seen as an attempt to divert the focus from Karnataka and Orissa.

The agenda for Monday’s meeting, the council’s 14th, features a discussion on social structure; economic development; removal of regional imbalances; promotion of a feeling of security among minorities; promotion of education among SCs, STs and the minorities and need for communal harmony.

The council is meeting after a gap of three years. The last meeting was held on August 31, 2005, after a gap of 13 years.

a_anil@dnaindia.net