BJP says it’s ‘capitulation’ as PM claims no change

In the Rajya Sabha,where there is a provision for members to ask questions after the PM’s statement,the party sought clarifications.

To the intervention by Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley,Singh said: “This only strengthens our commitment that meaningful process of engagement cannot move forward unless and until Pakistan takes effective measures to control terrorism. It does not mean any dilution of our stand. It only strengthens our stand that we would like Pakistan not to wait for the resumption of the composite dialogue,as and when it takes place. But take action against terrorist elements regardless of these processes that may lead to the resumption of the dialogue.”

Earlier,in his statement to both houses,Singh had said New Delhi’s consistent position remains that “the starting point of any meaningful dialogue with Pakistan is a fulfillment of their commitment,in letter and spirit,not to allow their territory to be used in any manner for terrorist activities against India”.

Action on terrorism,he said,should not be linked to the composite dialogue process,and therefore cannot await other developments.

“Whether,when and in what form,we broaden the dialogue with Pakistan will depend on future developments,” he said,making it clear that action against terrorist elements by Pakistan remained India’s primary concern.

In his intervention,Jaitley said Singh’s statement in the house and the Indo-Pak joint statement seemed “patently inconsistent”.

“Are we to expect,” he said,“in view of this joint statement that this debracketing of terrorism or action on terrorism,which has been done from the composite dialogue process,even if non-cooperation in the matter of action against terrorism is to continue,even if the non-cooperation in the matter of brining the perpetrators of the crime of 26/11 in Mumbai is to continue,even if the state actors or non-state actors in Pakistan continue to misuse Pakistani soil for perpetrating terrorist attacks on India,all this is going to be now delinked from the composite dialogue process?”

In the Lok Sabha,Leader of the Opposition L K Advani and his deputy Sushma Swaraj rose to accus the government of conceding ground to Pakistan immediately after Singh’s statement.

Advani charged the government with conceding Pakistan’s demand for delinking the composite dialogue from terrorism barely seven months after the Mumbai attacks. “What has happened that made you change your stand¿ The government has capitulated”,he declared.

Objecting to Advani’s statement,Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee pointed out that the opposition can ask for a structured discussion but there was no provision for seeking a clarification in the Lok Sabha to the Prime Minister’s statement.

To this,Advani said that his party would demand a structured discussion,but to lodge its protest,will walk out. He then led members of the BJP and friendly parties out of the house.