Clueless about Gill, Opp grills Advani

On his part, Advani cautioned the members about underworld elements being in touch with their mentors in Pakistan ‘‘regarding retaliatory actions in Gujarat and even parts of Maharashtra.’’ He claimed there were reliable reports, including intercepts, pointing at the threat. According to Advani, ‘‘help from across the border is being sought for supply of arms, ammunition and explosives for undertaking such acts of violence. Pak-based leaders of Lashkar-e-Toiba and elements Dawood Ibrahim and late Abdul Latif’s gangs are, in particular, involved in such conspiracies.’’

In the same breath, he told the members that the Government would do everything necessary to restore normalcy in Gujarat.

Advani held that even if there was no resolution in the Rajya Sabha on Gujarat, Article 355 cast upon the Centre a Constitutional duty to protect a state in times of internal strife or external threat. The Rajya Sabha resolution had only made the Government more conscious about this obligation, he said.

But as Arjun Singh quipped after the meeting, ‘‘Anything can now be included under Article 355, including Gill’s dispatch to Gujarat.’’

The matter of relief camps in Gujarat also generated heat. Somnath Chatterjee said: ‘‘Attempts are being made to kick the people out of the camps. What is the Centre doing?’’ he inquired.

Advani denied the Opposition charge that the Gujarat government had decided to wind up some relief camps in the state. He also referred to a recent ruling by the Gujarat High Court in this connection.