Modi calls NCTC "a backdoor" ploy to grab power

Indore: Firing a fresh salvo on NCTC issue, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today alleged the proposed Counter Terrorism Centre was nothing but UPA government’s ploy to “grab power through the backdoor”. Accusing the Delhi Sarkar of weakening the federal system, Modi questioned the need for NCTC instead of anti-terror laws such as POTA. Through this proposed body, the Centre wanted to use the Intelligence Bureau in states’ domain, he said. “It’s a conspiracy to grab power through the backdoor… Already several opposition leaders are in CBI’s dragnet, now they are bringing in NCTC…” he alleged.[caption id=“attachment_233134” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Unhappy with NCTC. Image courtesy PIB”]  [/caption] Delivering a lecture in the memory of Dr Om Nagpal in Indore, Modi also demanded Sarkaria Commission’s report on Centre-state relations and Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi’s report on Centre-state financial relations be implemented. “A meeting of Inter-state Council should be called immediately, and (it should be) twice a year,” Modi said. Quoting Punchhi report, he said governors should not be a political person but the Centre, unfortunately, always thrusts on Gujarat not only a political person but someone who had a different political ideology. Modi has crossed swords with present Gujarat Governor Kamla, on several issues. He also alleged the proposed communal violence bill aimed at taking away states’ powers simply by “creating communal problem”. Since the President’s rule cannot be imposed in a state easily, this was another ploy, he said. Even the implementation of the Right to Information Act was putting a monetary burden on the states as it needs appointment of separate officers, etc, Modi said. He also said Gujarat government’s bill, which provides 50 percent quota to women in the Assembly, was stuck at the level of the governor, who, incidentally, is a woman. Similarly, a number of bills passed by non-Congress state governments were awaiting president’s approval, he said. PTI