SP to vote against govt in Parliament on NCTC issue

The Samajwadi Party on Monday said it will vote against the government in Parliament on the issue of setting up the National Counter Terrorism Centre.

"We can't support it. We will vote against it," Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav told reporters outside Parliament.

Chief ministers of several states including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states have written to the prime minister against the NCTC.

These states have opposed the NCTC, saying that the proposed body impinges on the powers of state governments. A meeting of chief ministers is also scheduled on April 16 on the NCTC issue.

Asked if the SP would support the United Progressive Alliance government in case the Trinamool Congress withdraws support to it, Yadav said, "There is no question... This is a hypothetical question. Who comes and who goes is immaterial to me. We are not going to join."

On reports suggesting that he would be given the post of Deputy Chairman in the Rajya Sabha if his party joins the government, Yadav said, "This is a figment of imagination. There is no truth in it and I will not accept it".