Both. Even if it is an insignificant enemy, we must prepare as if we are facing a mighty enemy. That is our approach. For example, the BJP has always benefited from the Third Front fighting the Congress. It is on the crutches of the Third Front that the BJP will rise to power, if ever. And that is why we will have to fight them equally. Whether it’s the BJP or the Third Front, if they want to come to power, they think their main target should be Congress.

•Vinay Sitapati: Many of the suggestions of the Administrative Reforms Commission, of which you are the chairperson, like setting up a central investigating agency, were implemented after 26/11 in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill. Had your recommendations been accepted earlier, would it have been possible to lessen the impact of the Mumbai attacks?

A common agency to gather intelligence is must. I won’t say that our recommendations have been fully implemented. The preamble of the Act remains under consideration—Congress requires a full mandate of the people to go ahead and implement it. We did not have a majority in Parliament to be able to do so.

•Vinay Sitapati: Are you saying that if the UPA comes to power with a full mandate, then the role of the national investigating agency will move from security to policing?

Matters like traffic and domestic policing should be taken up by the municipal bodies. I have said that in my report. A case of terrorism has to be registered at a police station. Do you think a police station is equipped with the wherewithal, the knowledge, and technology to deal with terrorism? Terrorism cannot be investigated by an ordinary constable. I do not say there should be centralisation but networking is very important.

... contd.