New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Sunday received wholesome
praise from an unexpected quarter over the Centre's handling
of security issues.
And it was from none other than Gujarat Chief Minister
Narendra Modi who usually does not miss an opportunity to go
hammer and tongs at the Centre with the latest occasion being
his attack over the price rise issue yesterday.
At the conference of chief ministers on internal
security, Modi praised Singh and Chidambaram for the Centre's
swift and positive action and greater cooperation with his
state in dealing with security concerns.
Modi said during Manmohan Singh's regime the
opposition-ruled states did not face any discrimination in the
matter of internal security.
He said due to the hostile attitude of "our neighbouring
country, security is an important issue which needs to be
taken seriously."
Modi also complimented Chidambaram and Home Secretary G
K Pillai for their approach in tackling terror.
"Response of the Home Minister and Home Secretary is
swift and positive whenever there is a demand from a state,"
Modi told reporters on the sidelines of the conference.
Yesterday, Modi took a jibe at the Centre over price
rise issue. "The current situation of helplessness that the
Government of India finds itself in should prompt some soul
searching among those who advocate that market mechanisms
and free trade across borders will take care of India's food
security", he had said.
The Centre came in for praise from Chhattisgarh Chief
Minister Raman Singh too.
Singh said his state has been getting all help from the
Central government in dealing with the Maoists problem.
He said now there were greater cooperation between the
state and the Centre in all security matters.
Modi also praised the Prime Minister for quickly
addressing issues of the states and also for convening a
conference of chief ministers on internal security.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, February 07, 2010, 22:37