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CPI(M) condemns Advani disclosure
By Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, DEC. 7. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today took exception to the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, disclosing information that Parliament was a ``target'' of Al-Qaeda, at a public function and not sharing it with the House.
Condemning the manner in which the Minister shared the information at a function organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the CPI(M) MP, Mr. Nilotpal Basu, said that it was ``unbecoming of the Home Minister'' not to inform Parliament on a matter that concerned the House.
Addressing a press conference, Mr. Basu said the idea appeared to create conditions and situations before introduction of the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance in Parliament next week. ``What was more reprehensible is that Mr. Advani chose to make it public after having directed the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Chhagan Bhujbal, who passed on the information, not to disclose it,'' he said. He said Mr. Bhujbal told the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly that the Al-Qaeda plan to attack Parliament was disclosed by a person connected with the organisation who was arrested in Mumbai. Mr. Bhujbal said he decided to share the information after Mr. Advani made it public.
To a question whether the party would reconsider its stand on the POTO, as the Government planned to bring forward amendments, Mr. Basu said the Opposition decision to defeat the Ordinance would remain unchanged. ``We are opposed to the POTO and are against any cosmetic changes,'' he said.
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