National

Govt.'s approach bettered relations with States: Advani

New Delhi May 10. Asserting that the Vajpayee Government had "de-politicised and de-ideologised" Centre-State relations, the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, today said such a "conscious" approach had led to "smoother and harmonious" relations between the two.

"I can state that the Centre's conduct with all the States has been completely even-handed. Our style of governance is highly consultative. I count it as one of our Government's several successes that we have completely de-politicised and de-ideologised Centre-State relations," he said at the `India Today' Chief Ministers' Conclave.

Castigating parties for sometimes adopting an approach of political untouchability, Mr. Advani said "ideological untouchability should be tabooed" when the question of national interest arises. "A qualitative change has occurred in the Centre where many regional parties which have got together under the banner of the NDA have played a major role in national politics.... the NDA is a political manifestation of the social diversity of India."

This had given an alternative approach to the Indian polity and the rulers of the country as to how regional aspirations could be blended to have a national perspective.

Several Chief Ministers including N. Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh), Rabri Devi (Bihar), Narendra Modi (Gujarat) and Manohar Parikar (Goa), besides Union Ministers and leaders of political parties were present at the gathering where Goa was adjudged the best State in the overall category.

"For the first time, the country has evolved a cohesive political platform capable of providing stable governance at the Centre and, at the same time, harmonising regional aspirations with a national perspective," Mr. Advani said.

At times he had faced criticism for having "a good functional relationship" with the Chief Ministers of Opposition-ruled States of West Bengal, Tripura and Jammu and Kashmir. "We have consciously adopted this approach because it is our conviction that the interests of the nation must always supersede all other considerations," he said.

Such an approach had made possible the holding of impartial Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Tripura and Meghalaya.

Need for Federal Police Force

Pointing out that there was an urgent need for a Federal Police Force to tackle "well-defined federal crimes" such as terrorism and insurgency, Mr. Advani said, "such a force will not detract from any State's powers.

Rather it will help all States in giving better security to their citizens."

There were various types of crimes especially those relating to terrorism and insurgency and these were not restricted only to one State.

"Therefore, there has been a suggestion that we urgently need to set up a Federal Police Force to deal with well-defined federal crimes... ''

PTI

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