Centre cannot check POTA
misuse in states: Advani

Deputy Prime Minster Lal Kishenchand Advani on Sunday said the Centre cannot intervene to check misuse of POTA in states and judicial intervention is the only remedy.

"POTA is meant to deal with terrorists and not ordinary criminals. However, the Centre cannot intervene to check its misuse by state governments. Judicial intervention is the only remedy," he said addressing an election rally in Bilaspur.

However, he added, "Some parties are not really against POTA. They are opposing it just with an eye on the minority vote."

The deputy prime minister's remarks assume significance in the wake of the Uttar Pradesh BJP's strong opposition to the Mayawati government using the anti-terror law against jailed independent MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya.