Centre to back Buddha to combat terrorism

kolkata: the centre will firmly stand behind west bengal chief minister buddhadeb bhattacharjee''s government in its fight against terrorism, said bjp national president jana krishnamurthy, speaking to newspersons in kolkata on friday. "the chief minister did not condemn all the madrasahs. even in pakistan, they want to register the madrasahs," pointed out krishnamurthy, suggesting that close coordination is being maintained between the union home minister and the chief minister.reacting to the chief minister subsequent backtracking after announcing a crackdown on unregistered madrasahs, krishnamurthy said that it was unfortunate that the chief minister had to eat a humble pie. this happened under pressure from the cpm, krishnamurthy pointed out. "it is indeed unfortunate. moreover, it is harmful for democracy," krishnamurthy said. "we need not learn democracy from the bjp," retorted chief minister buddhadeb bhattacharjee, reacting to krishnamurthy''s remarks. cpm politburo member biman bose, however, indicated that the party may not be averse to the hardline on madrasahs. "if anti-national activities take place in madrasahs, they will be dealt with," bose remarked. both bhattacherjee and bose left kolkata on friday to attend the cpm politburo meeting in delhi. the closing of ranks between the state government and the centre on the terrorism issue was apparent when krishnamurthy admitted that his ally trinamul congress'' position on the madrassah issue was different from that of his party. reacting to the suggestion that mamata banerjee had criticised the chief minister on the issue, krishnamurthy said that the trinamul supremo was a free agent. "it is for the people of west bengal to judge her," the bjp president said. krishnamurthy also criticised the congress for raking up the coffin controversy, saying that everyone should strengthen the hand of the central government on the question of terrorism and national security.