Statement by Shri L.K. Advani
Leader of the Opposition (Lok Sabha)

New Delhi – August 16, 2008

I heartily congratulate the Government of Gujarat, and the state police in particular, for the important breakthrough they have achieved in busting a pan-India terrorist network responsible for the serial bomb blasts in Ahmedabad and other cities in the country. The arrest of 10 people, including Mufti Abu Bashir, who is described as the mastermind of the terror network, is indeed a major accomplishment.

I have spoken to Shri Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat, today and congratulated him for his Government's success.

This success shows what a Government determined to deal firmly with the menace of terrorism can achieve in a short time. It stands in stark contrast with the utter lack of clarity and will power that the UPA Government at the Centre has exhibited in handling the threat of terrorism.

I take this opportunity to once again demand that the UPA Government recommend immediate Presidential assent for the ``Gujarat Control of Organised Crime Act'', which has been pending with the Centre since June 2004. The UPA Government's refusal to do so thus far has proved that it doggedly wants to pursue its policy of appeasement of terrorist elements in the country.