New Delhi: BJP has sought to turn the
tables on Home Minister P Chidambaram`s criticism of it on the
issue of NSCN-IM leader T Muivah`s visit to Manpiur.
"Our criticism of the Government was based on the
public statements of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah
and Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh that the Home Ministry
did not take them into confidence on the issues of Telengana
and Muivah," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said here.
He said now it was up to Chidambaram to find out "who
was speaking the truth".
"After all, both the CMs belong to Congress and they
have made their anger against the Centre open before
journalists," he said.
During the party`s daily press briefing yesterday,
Javadekar had said "the unilateralism of the Home Minister has
once again created tension. Earlier, he had announced creation
of a separate Telangana state without taking the Andhra
Pradesh Government into confidence. This time, he allowed
Muivah to visit his village in Manipur without asking the
state government for its view."
Chidambaram had earlier today said that he was
surprised and disappointed by BJP`s statement alleging that
his unilateral decision to allow NSCN-IM leader T Muivah to
visit Manipur had created tension there.
The minister said he had met a BJP delegation led by
Prakash Javadekar yesterday in connection with the situation
in Manipur.
"After hearing the delegation, I explained in detail
the developments in the past week. The delegation thanked me
for the patient hearing, for the briefing on the developments
in Manipur and urged me and the government to continue to deal
with the situation with tact and understanding.
"The delegation expressed satisfaction at the
conclusion of the meeting. I am, therefore, surprised and
disappointed by the statement issued by Prakash Javadekar
yesterday," Chidambaram said in a statement.
"The Government of Manipur took the stand that such a
visit would not be appropriate at this time. Efforts were made
over several days to find a solution. The Chief Minister of
Manipur was requested to go over to Delhi and he did so on May
6, 2010," the Home Minister said.
Chidambaram said the Finance Minister, the Defence
Minister and the Home Minister held talks with the Chief
Minister of Manipur. "However, after his return to Imphal, the
Chief Minister reiterated the stand of his government that the
visit of Muivah to Somdal could not be allowed at this stage."
PTI
