Zeenews Bureau
Ahmedabad: Igniting the debate over formation of National Counter Terrorism Centre, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Centre did not consult the states on the issue.
Modi further accused the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) of infringing upon the rights of a state, questioning why the government did not consult the states on the creation of the anti-terror body.
The Gujarat’s government has strongly objected to the unilateral creation of the NCTC. It has also urged the union government to withdraw its notification.
According to Modi, powers under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 had been conferred to NCTC without taking care of the pros and cons of such a step.
In a letter to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Modi said: "Public order and police are state subjects, and therefore, this move is a terrible blow to our federal structure and democracy.”
"It is unfortunate that these issues have been brought to your notice from time to time, but you have decided to keep silent and not to act. In the process, immense damage is being done to democratic polity and federalism," added the Gujarat CM.
"I have been raising the issue of empowering state law enforcement agencies. A legislation like Gujarat Control of Organised Crime Act (GUJCOC Act) has not been approved for last five years, and central government has notified NCTC in a matter of days," he wondered.
Several Chief Ministers have come out against the proposed counter-terror legislation.
The Congress, which leads the UPA, tried to play down the issue after ally and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee joined three Chief Ministers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh as well as Janata Dal-United`s Nitish Kumar in Bihar, Biju Janata Dal`s Naveen Patnaik in Orissa and AIADMK`s J Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu also spoke out against the NCTC.
