Mamata Banerjee, other non-Congress CMs oppose NCTC; Centre tries to allay fears

NEW DELHI: The plan for creation of the ambitious National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) has come under attack from non-Congress Chief Ministers, including ally Trinamool Congress, but the Centre rejected criticism that it would infringe on the states' powers.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee joined Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in opposing the setting up of the anti-terror body and wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking him to "review and withdraw" the decision.

Expressing concern that the NCTC would infringe on the federal rights of states, Banerjee had said: "It is difficult for the state government to accept such arbitrary exercise of power by the central government/central agency, which have a bearing on the rights and privilege of the states as enshrined in the Constitution of India".

Banerjee's letter was released by Patnaik's office in Bhubaneswar. Patnaik himself slammed the creation of the counter-terror body saying the UPA government is issuing "authoritarian orders" without consulting the states.

Patnaik, earlier this week, had written to non-Congress Chief Ministers and leaders including J Jayalalitha (Tamil Nadu), Nitish Kumar (Bihar) and TDP chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu against the Centre's move.

"My concern is the authoritarian notification with draconian overtones about law and order among others in which the state governments have not been consulted," Patnaik said.

Reacting to the criticism, Union Home Secretary R K Singh said the NCTC is in national interest and there was no need to consult the states prior to notification of the NCTC as it was being established under the existing laws.