March 25, 2002

    The following is the text of the statement of the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at a press conference in Shimla today :

    "I am happy to be in Shimla on a short two-day visit. The hills of Himachal Pradesh have a special attraction for me. The nearness to the blue sky, the tranquil sight of forests and valleys and the touch of the pure cool air are a tonic to the mind, especially when Delhi is getting hotter by the day.

    After the heated debate on the POTO Bill in Parliament, and its passage in the Lok Sabha and defeat in the Rajya Sabha, the Government had no alternative to bringing it before a joint session of Parliament. Accordingly, a joint session of Parliament is scheduled for tomorrow, a rare event that has taken place only twice before. The passage of POTO tomorrow is a certainty, but in my view, this extraordinary Constitutional device of a joint session should not have become necessary at all. The need for POTO in the present national situation, when India is waging a determined fight against cross-border terrorism, is so self-evident that it ought to have received the support of political parties.

    Even at this late stage, I once again appeal to all the political parties in the Opposition, and especially to the Congress, to give up their politically motivated resistance to POTO. Congress is a national party, which has considerable experience of fighting cross-border terrorism. TADA, after all, was a creation of a Congress Government. The BJP, which was then in the Opposition, supported in wholeheartedly because of our conviction that such a law was in the nation's vital interests. The Congress party should realise that its opposition to POTO is not only not in the national interest, but it is also not in the interest of the congress party itself. I am truly dismayed by the shortsighted and narrow outlook of the Congress leadership on the POTO issue.

    The Government has already dispelled all misgivings that POTO would be used selectively. Indeed, the prolonged national debate on the issue has raised public awareness so high that it would not be possible for any government, at the Centre or in the States, to misuse it for partisan considerations.

    The situation in Gujarat calls for a concerted effort by the State Government, political parties in the State, voluntary organisations and community-based groups to start an effective programme for the social and economic rehabilitation of the victims of the recent communal violence. The Centre is willing to fully support such a programme. Gujarat has an exemplary tradition of social work by Gandhian organisations, religious bodies, NGOs and also business groups, without any consideration of caste and creed of the beneficiaries. I appeal to all of them to plunge into the work of rehabilitation. I shall soon visit Gujarat to personally take stock of the entire situation and ensure that the return of peace and normalcy is consolidated throughout the State.