Naidu calls for NDC meeting to solve Pak issue

To persistent queries on whether the TDP would withdraw its support to the Vajpayee Government for its failure to check the Shiv Sainiks, Naidu said it would not help solve the problem. “The Government will survive even without our support. I am, therefore,going a step ahead and demanding that the Prime Minister invite all the Chief Ministers and discuss the options open to the Centre to tackle the problem,” he remarked.

Asked if he would demand dismissal of the Shiv Sena-BJP Government in Maharashtra and a ban on the party, Naidu felt all the issues could be discussed by the NDC.

When reminded of his earlier observations that the TDP would not hesitate to withdraw support to the BJP if there was any threat to secularism, Naidu said that there was no point in looking for political solutions to the present problem. “It is a matter concerning the entire nation and its image in the outside world. It is the duty of everyone to protect the country’s image and its security,” he said.

Describing as “sheer madness” the Shiv Sainiks attack on the BCCI office in Mumbai, their threats to form suicide squads and even take the help of LTTE to disrupt the matches, the TDP President said that “communalising” even sports, was highly reprehensible.

Naidu feltthat the provocative statements of Bal Thackeray and other Shiv Sena leaders could lead to serious law and order disturbances. “When any State Government fails to act, the Centre has to step in. It is for the Centre to control the situation, as it is a very serious issue,” he said.

The Chief Minister asserted that the State Government would put down, with an iron hand, any attempt by the Sainiks to create trouble in the State. Pakistan is scheduled to play a cricket match at Visakhapatnam during the series.

“I have already instructed the police officials to take all possible steps to prevent any trouble. We will not spare anyone,” he declared.