BJP terms government's decision to set up NCTC 'arbitrary'

New Delhi, Feb 19 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress party of arrogance for its decision to set up the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) without taking state governments into confidence.

"The chief ministers of 10 states have taken a stand against the NCTC. One alliance partner, who is also a chief minister, is opposing it. Two other parties, including the DMK are opposing the move. This proves the arrogant style of functioning of the Congress party and the UPA government," BJP spokesperson Jagat Prakash Nadda told the media here.

Several state governments, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which is the second largest in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government (19 Members of Parliament), joined the chorus against what is being seen as an attempt to infringe upon state rights.

On the minority reservation issues, Nadda said that it was up to the Election Commission (EC) to decide on being defied by Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma after Law Minister Salman Khurshid had agreed to abide by its guidelines.

"Beni Prasad Verma reissued a challenge to the Election Commission while Khurshid and his wife were present on the same stage. What the Election Commission must think about is the eventual result of the action it took against Khurshid, i.e., the expression that Beni Prasad has given," he added.

The EC on Saturday issued notice to Beni Prasad Verma over his remarks on sub-quota for minorities.

The Election Commission said it "is prima facie satisfied" that Verma "by making the aforesaid statements, has violated the aforesaid provisions of the Model Code of Conduct".

The Election Commission, which examined the video recordings of Verma's speech made at a rally in Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh, further said: "It is evident from the above statements of Verma that he was well aware that by making such utterances, he was violating the model code of conduct and yet he deliberately and willfully did the same."

Verma has been asked to explain his position by 5 p.m. on February 20, as to why action should not be taken against him for violating the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct.

Beni Prasad Verma is the second Union Minister Salman Khurshid who has been issued notice from the Election Commission for poll code violation over the sub-quota remarks. (ANI)