National
V.P. Singh joins issue with PM
By Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, FEB. 5. The former Prime Minister, V.P. Singh, today joined issue with the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, by disagreeing with his view that security-related matters should not be made into election issues.
Addressing a press conference, Mr. Singh said the election process was meant to bring out the truth and asserted that security issues were the concern of every citizen. Such views were ``disturbing'' and security was an issue of priority that needed debate.
Referring to defence matters, the Tehelka episode and December 13 attack on Parliament, he said: ``How can these issues not be debated. People have questions about them''.
Mr. Singh said the Centre should hold talks at the political level with separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir instead of an official interaction. The Hurriyat and others should also be associated with the poll process. He expressed concern about Central funds not reaching the people of the State.
On his recent effort for proper accountability of MPLADS funds, he said with the BJP having given its approval to the Kisan Morcha's proposal of MPs and MLAs making public details of utilisation of their constituency funds, a ``national consensus'' had emerged. He said the move was aimed towards achieving ``accountability and transparency'' in public life adding he hoped that such a consensus would be evolved on other issues too.
Mr. Singh disapproved of the Samajwadi Party's move to induct filmstar Amitabh Bachchan for campaigning in Uttar Pradesh.
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