Jaitley slams government for 'attack on federalism'

Jaipur, April 16 (IANS) Slamming the Congress-led central government for encroaching on the rights of the states, BJP leader Arun Jaitley Monday said Congress chief ministers should also protest the "attack on federalism".

"Concern has been raised by all non-Congress chief ministers in the country and all non-Congress states are seriously concerned about the attitude of the central government where the principle of federal polity and federal governance has been adversely affected," Jaitley told reporters here.

"...whether it is NCTC (National Counter Terrorism Centre), or BSF (amendment bill), they are all intended to encroach upon the law and order jurisdiction of state governments," he said.

"It is regrettable that Congress chief ministers, who should be fighting for the rights of the states, have chosen to be mute. Therefore, it is only non-Congress chief ministers who are speaking."

Jaitley's comments come on a day when the prime minister called a meeting of all chief ministers to discuss internal security. The issue of NCTC, a proposed anti-terror intelligence agency, is to be discussed at a separate meeting May 5.

Jaitley also said he was "glad some UPA constituents are also speaking on the subject", referring to UPA ally Trinamool Congress which has strongly opposed the NCTC.