Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on the issue of terrorism there should be national unity and Centre be backed for whatever action it takes to tackle this problem.
On the issue of trans border terrorism the CM said on Wednesday he would support whatever action the Centre initiated to tackle this menace. “On this issue there is need for strong unity in the country and Centre should take lead in taking actions. There is no confusion from where the terrorism is exported. Whatever is happening in our country is being handled from there (Pakistan) and there is no doubt in it,” he said.
In the context of Uri attack and martyrdom of 18 soldiers, Nitish said it was a useless debate as to how the terrorist crossed the border and infiltrated and instead there should be concentrated action.
“They (terrorists) attack with a mission and come here as suicide attackers. The Centre should act and we are with it. It should create an atmosphere across the globe, expose where their hideouts are located and diplomatically isolate their patrons,” said Nitish who was one of the few politicians supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise visit to Pakistan last December.
Nitish however, strongly opposed the Centre’s move to merge the Railway Budget with the General Budget and said the NDA Government was trying to end the autonomy of the railways. “I don’t know what prompted them to merge railway budget with the general budget but it will be a big loss to the Railway Ministry,” he told reporters.
He said that with his experience as Railway Minister he could say that this move would be harmful and a big loss to the autonomy of railways. “The MPs of all parties take more interest in rail budget debate than the general budget and during my tenure debate continued till late night and again resumed next day. The people have emotional attachment with the railways and it is the common man’s mode of travel. “It seems railways is no longer their priority,” he
alleged.