Congress should have consulted state governments before constituting NCTC: Sushma

Lucknow/ New Delhi, Feb 17 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj on Friday said the ruling Congress party should have consulted state governments before constituting the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).

"Not only this, many more such acts, this government does not believe in a federal structure. Even Rahul Gandhi is saying that we give the money to states. He is not giving the money out of his pocket money. He is not giving the money from his personal account. It is the state's share, which they give," Swaraj told media in Lucknow.

BJP leader Balbir Punj said the establishing of the NCTC was an indication of the Congress party's political arrogance.

"The Centre's decision to push this NCTC proposal is indicative of its arrogance and contempt for the federal character of the country. If the government is really serious about fighting terrorism, then it should have taken all political parties and the state governments on board," he said.

To think that only the UPA is opposed to terrorism and wants to fight terrorism and that others are not, is just not correct. Number two, if the Congress is serious in fighting terrorism, then it must rein in the irresponsible statements made by various senior Congress leaders like Mr. Digvijay Singh," he added.

Several state governments, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which is the second largest component 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.

The main task of the NCTC would be to ensure that the wide variety of security rganizations in the country work in tandem, at least on issues related to terrorism.

It will also have the power to seek information, including documents, reports, transcripts, and cyber information from any agency, including from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency, National Technical Research Organization, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and all seven central armed police forces including the National Security Guard (NSG).

The body, which will function under the Intelligence Bureau, has been given its own operational wing with powers to arrest and conduct searches under Section 43A of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. (ANI)