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Congress opposes decision to release Bleach

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB. 2 . The Congress today opposed the "shocking decision" of the Vajpayee Government to release Peter Bleach, a convict undergoing sentence in the Purulia arms drop case, and demanded an explanation for it.

The party said that the Bharatiya Janata Party, which was "never tired of delivering sermons" on national security and raised objections to the policy of "healing touch" by the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party-Congress coalition government, had now decided to release Bleach through a Presidential pardon.

It reminded all that the plea for a Presidential pardon was rejected twice earlier and that Bleach was tried, found guilty and sentenced in the sensational case of arms drop during 1995.

The Government, which proclaimed of being a partner in global coalition against terrorism, had decided to release a person who works for "coalition for terrorism."

The Congress chief spokesperson, S. Jaipal Reddy, said that Bleach was a "noted international terrorist'' and added that the party wanted a detailed explanation for the "absolutely shocking decision."

Announcing the party's opposition to the move, he said the issue would be raised in Parliament.

The Vajpayee Government was "neglecting minimum concern for national security."

The party also objected to the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, sharing a public platform with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief, K.S. Sudarshan, at which the latter "attacked a particular religious group for conversions."

Accusing the Prime Minister of having a "tactical understanding" with the RSS on the subject, Mr. Reddy said that even as Mr. Vajpayee swore to go by the National Democratic Alliance agenda he was becoming party to the "hidden agenda and pursuing communal agenda on parallel lines." There was a need to alert the people on "what the Prime Minister is capable of dabbling."

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