Italy's decision is a challenge to the country, alleges BJP

KOZHIKODE: BJP's Kerala unit today said Italy's decision not to send its two marines back to India to face trial for allegedly killing two fishermen was a challenge posed against the Centre.

Speaking to reporters here, V Muraleedharan, BJP state President alleged that from the beginning of the case itself, the Centre had adopted a stand in favour of the Italian marines and it was due to the intervention of the people that Centre was "forced" to resort to actions against the two marines.

BJP would demand the Centre to take steps to bring them back to India, he said.

On the speech of PDP leader Andul Nasser Madhani during the marriage of his daughter at Kollam recently, Muraleedharan said it was gross violation of the parole conditions.
Another BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar alleged Italy's refusal to send back the two marines is an instance of "diplomatic collusion" between the UPA government and the government in Italy.

"We charge the government with diplomatic collusion on this issue. The whole incident appears to have been scripted," Javadekar said.

The party further charged this is a case of contempt of the Supreme Court.

"Italy is a democratic country and not a banana republic. The Indian government must prevail upon Italy to hand over the two marines," Javadekar said.