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Vajpayee accuses Opposition
of insulting Gujarat: PTI

"Attempts are being made to put us in the dock... This is not proper and it has pained us. One should not indulge in such politics," he said, intervening in a special discussion on the situation arising out of the quake.

"We will bring out the truth and make you stand in the dock as you have tried to take political advantage out of this natural calamity," a visibly annoyed Vajapayee said.

The prime minister was repeatedly interrupted by several Opposition leaders, including Somnath Chatterjee, Shivraj Patil and Mulayam Singh Yadav, who accused him of "politicising the issue".

Chatterjee remarked, "While we have all respect for you as prime minister, you are behaving like a Bharatiya Janata Party leader."

Dismissing Opposition charges that there was discrimination in providing relief to the quake victims, Vajpayee said, "The planned propaganda that Muslims and Harijans were discriminated against... has resulted in the country's image being tarnished abroad."

Amid cries of "shame, shame" from treasury benches, he wondered what was the need to repeatedly make such charges. "We will put you in the dock. You have put a black spot on Gujarat".

Vajpayee regretted the Opposition charge that the Centre discriminated in providing assistance to cyclone-hit Orissa and flood-ravaged West Bengal.

"This discrimination does not take place... you give less to Orissa. This is not proper," he said.

Chatterjee sought to counter the prime minister by reminding him that he had remarked, "Where is the money?" when West Bengal leaders had met him to plead for assistance following floods in the state.

The prime minister's intervention saw repeated exchanges between him and Opposition leaders as also between Home Minister L K Advani and the Opposition.

Vajpayee said, "We have been hearing a series of charges. There has been no discrimination (in providing relief to quake victims). This charge is baseless.... where has discrimination occurred? How can anyone discriminate in such circumstances? Saying such things is insulting entire Gujarat."

He declared that the government has decided to set up a National Disaster Management Authority to tackle natural calamities expeditiously.

He said a suggestion was made by Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi at the all-party meeting convened following the quake.

Vajpayee also announced that the Centre had permitted HUDCO to float Rs 1500 crore worth tax-free bonds for rehabilitation in Gujarat.

He said money would be no problem for the massive task.

The prime minister said he could understand politics when elections were round the corner. "We have also been in the Opposition and indulged in a bit of politics." But, when a natural calamity of this magnitude occurs, it should be everyone's endeavour to ensure that it be met unitedly, he said.

In a sarcastic tone, Vajpayee remarked, "Fortunately, nobody has blamed the government for the earthquake."

This was immediately countered by Opposition leaders, including Chatterjee, who asserted that the entire country was one in facing the devastating quake.

"Everyone has supported all efforts... what we have said is more should be done for Gujarat and disaster management should be done properly and we are not divided on Gujarat," said Chatterjee.

When Congress leader Shivraj Patil clarified that no one had blamed the Gujarat Government in providing relief, Advani said from the way in which Opposition leaders raised the issue, the impression gained was that the state government was the culprit.

Patil sought to know whether it was not the government's duty to take note of cases of discrimination pointed out by Sonia Gandhi, who toured the quake-affected areas.

The prime minister said Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel had himself stated at the all-party meeting that action would be taken if cases of discrimination were brought to his notice.

The Complete Coverage | List of earthquake sites

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