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We stand by the Govt.: Sonia

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MAY 17.

Political affiliations and personal differences were kept aside and the Opposition parties today pledged unconditional support to the Government in its response to the killing in Kaluchak near Jammu. Constructive suggestions were offered and the call for a strong action was, by and large, tempered with restraint. Parties such as the AIADMK and the Shiv Sena, however, did ask for a "military response''.

The thrust of the Opposition leaders' speeches was that though they supported the Government, it should evolve a comprehensive game plan and not rely on others to fight its battle against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

The tone of the debate was set by the Leader of the Opposition, Sonia Gandhi. The Congress "would continue to stand by the Government on vital national issues,'' she said and urged the Government to evolve a comprehensive strategy and not to resort to strong words alone. "Rhetoric is no substitute for strategy and vision. The Government should take the nation into confidence on its strategy''.

Ms. Gandhi's speech stood out both for its bi-partisan nature and its constructive approach. Even when she pulled up the Government on the wisdom or lack of it on some of its policies, like the success of its diplomatic effort or troop mobilisation on the border, it was done without rancour. "Our diplomatic effort has been found wanting, and the outrage has also exposed the weakness in our security apparatus,'' she said.

The Congress president was forthright in her condemnation of Pakistan, its role and designs on the country. She described the Kaluchak incident as a manifestation of the proxy war being waged from across the border. "It is now clear that a large section of the Pakistan establishment does not want peace.''

Ms. Gandhi was equally forthright in referring to the attitude of the United States on the issue. "We must ask ourselves whether the international coalition against terror has helped us in anyway.'' There was little wisdom in expecting others to fight our battle against terrorism. "Ultimately, we have to combat terrorism within our borders by ourselves''.

Similar was the refrain of Somnath Chatterjee (CPI-M) and Mulayam Singh Yadav (Samajwadi Party). They castigated the Government for relying on the U.S. in the fight against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. "We were amongst the first to offer our support to them. But, to what extent have they reciprocated it in our fight against terrorism,'' they asked.

Mr. Chatterjee said the nation should adopt a mature response and refrain from jingoism. Asking the Government to weigh all its options carefully, he ridiculed the call for a limited war being voiced by a section of the ruling coalition. He suggested a three-pronged strategy to deal with the situation — stepping up diplomatic and political pressure on Pakistan to take on the terrorists, initiation of a political process in Jammu and Kashmir and heightening the vigilance along the border to check infiltration of militants.

Mr. Yadav urged the Government to act decisively and called for abrogation of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan. He was critical of the Government's "tendency" to rely on the U.S. in the battle against Pakistan. "The whole nation is united, what more do you need, what you are looking for is approval from a certain power, that will never come,'' he said.

Support for the Government came from other parties as well, with the AIADMK favouring an all-out war with Pakistan. The BSP, RJD, TDP, CPI and the TMC, while reiterating their support to the Government, urged it to evolve a comprehensive strategy to deal with the situation.

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