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Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi
The all-party meeting summoned by the prime minister for resolving the government's differences with the opposition on the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance seems headed for a showdown with the Congress on Monday asserting that it was 'fatally flawed' and hence could not 'lend itself to amendments'.
Congress spokesman S Jaipal Reddy told reporters that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Monday had himself admitted that the ordinance was flawed.
"It cannot be set right by mere amendments," Reddy pointed out, indicating that the entire opposition was united on POTO, and it would never reconcile unless the government scrapped it and brought forward another legislation after due consultations with the opposition parties.
"We feel that a national law on terrorism can be tackled by the National Security Act. But if need be, another legislation can be brought forward, but after consulting the opposition parties," he pointed out.
Asked whether the all-party meeting, summoned by Vajpayee on Wednesday would end in failure Reddy said, "Well, we will convey our views. The government admits that POTO has not been approved by the National Democratic Alliance partners. It is structurally defective."
When pointed out that Vajpayee had said that he was open to (opposition) suggestions on POTO, the Congress spokesman remarked, "The prime minister is known for blowing hot and cold. He can be a petty politician, and also a statesman. Which part of Vajpayee do we take seriously."
To another question, Reddy said, "We don't buy the theory that Advani is conservative, while Vajpayee is liberal. They act in close concert."
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