Opposition raps Patil

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned today for an hour-and-a-half after the Opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) alleged that the Congress had a "tacit" pre-poll understanding with naxalites in Andhra Pradesh.

The issue came up at the end of Home Minister Shivraj Patil's reply to a debate on internal security. While the minister was making his speech, Ramacharaiah (TDP) alleged that the Congress had won the Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections by striking a deal with the naxals.

He said the government was offering a red carpet welcome to "the perpetrators of the crime" by inviting them for talks.

Patil gave details of the efforts being made to tackle the naxalite problem. He said the number of naxal killings in Andhra Pradesh had come down from 52 last year to two this year.

"Let not others be more loyal than the king," he said taking on Ramachandraiah. Referring to attack on TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, he said it was as much the responsibility of the Centre as any body elses'.

Balbir Punj (BJP) said the "parentage" of the naxal movement had been revealed, referring to the Patil's remark, that the government was looking to assume the role of a "karta" in tackling the problem.

Taking part in the debate, Jaswant Singh (BJP) read out a statement of PWG military commander Pradeep. In an interview to a television channel, he reportedly claimed to have a pre-poll arrangement between the Congress and the naxalites.

As members of both the ruling alliance and the Opposition traded allegations, the House was adjourned.