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Stand-off on POTO continues
By Javed M. Ansari
NEW DELHI, DEC. 7. The stand-off between the Opposition and the Government on the POTO issue seems to show no sign of abating. The Government's attempts to win support for the ordinance by effecting amendments last night failed to have the desired effect. Two of the principal Opposition formations, the Congress and the Left parties today rejected the amendments.
The Opposition parties feel that the changes are not up to the expectations. ``The Government had made the changes to save its face amongst the allies. The changes are marginal and cosmetic. Our position is unchanged and undiluted and we will oppose this draconian measure tooth and nail,'' said the Congress spokesperson, Mr. Jaipal Reddy.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, however, hoped that the ordinance would find favor with Parliament when the issue comes up before it next week. ``The objections of all concerned have now been taken care off,'' he said before leaving for Japan on a five-day visit.
Mr. Vajpayee's confidence appeared to stem from the fact that the Cabinet, at its last night meeting, decided to curtail the operational period of the proposed law from five to three years.
In a apparent bid to contain the criticism emanating from the media the Cabinet also sought to effect changes to those sections in the ordinance that impinged on the freedom of the press.
Law needed: Advani
Meanwhile, the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, continued to campaign vigorously for adoption of the ordinance. Justifying the need for POTO, he said the country needed the anti-terrorism law to fight a new kind of war. ``Terrorism is a new challenge and it needs a new kind of legal infrastructure, which the Government is determined to create,''
Matching Mr. Advani's aggressive posturing, the Congress maintained that its opposition would be at both the procedural level, as well as through amendments, in order to buttress its charge that despite the changes, the measure continued to be draconian. ``The changes are meant merely to mislead and hoodwink the people'', said Mr. Reddy.
The CPI(M) continued to appear unimpressed by last nights amendments and urged the Government to scrap the ordinance and begin afresh the process of putting together a new anti- terrorism law. Rajya Sabha MP, Mr. Nilotpal Basu, said ``the bill should be allowed to lapse and de novo discussions started.''
The CPI National Secretary, Mr. D.Raja felt that the amendments were not substantial and the basic character of the bill continued to be ``anti-democratic and fascist.''
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