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Delhi blast: Jaitley blames it on Chidambaram

September 07, 2011 18:38 IST

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Arun Jaitley blamed Home Minister P Chidambaram for failing to act decisively against scourge of terrorism.

Chidambaram has claimed that, "There was no intelligence failure" but Jaitley, who is also leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, says "failure to penetrate the Indian Mujahideen is also the failure of the ability for intelligence gathering."

Chidambaram was made home minister after the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. At the time he was painted in glory compared to his predecessor Shivraj Patil but, the BJP says, "Proof of the pudding is in eating. Look at how many levels and how many times the home ministry is failing."

Jaitley said, "We condemn this act. You have to strengthen your investigation process. You have to strengthen your intelligence." He said it is a matter of concern that even though a dry run was made by terrorists in May security was not tightened at the Delhi high court. 

Jaitley quoted six cases of terrorism that has remained unsolved under leadership of Chidambaram that includes blasts at Varanasi and Mumbai. He asked the government why it is unable to solve the blasts that occurred before a Bangalore IPL match that injured 15 in April 2010 as also the blasts at Jama Masjid and at the Delhi high court. One of the most serious lapses of investigations is the unsolved German Bakery blast in Pune which nine people died and 45 got wounded. For some inexplicable reason Chidambram has not allowed it to be transferred to the National Investigation Agency.

Sheela Bhatt in New Delhi