Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who has kept a low profile since the RSS chose Nitin Gadkari as the successor to BJP president Rajnath Singh, sought to re-position himself as the man who can deliver on curbing terrorism. Modi accused the Congress-led Centre of being “soft” on terrorists for the sake of its “vote-bank politics”. He accused the government of even trying to save money on ammunition for security forces.

“I was shocked by a directive from the Centre to save expenditure on ammunition by allowing the police to undergo target practice once in three years as against the previous practice of once a year,” Modi said.

“At a time when terrorists are known to train on their weapons thrice daily, this kind of a circular has been sent to the states. How will a policeman pick up his gun to face a terrorist who is better equipped and trained?” Modi asked.

Not to be outdone, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh called for a “bullet-for-bullet” approach to eliminate the Maoists.

“There should be no talks with them. They are out to finish our democratic system. We have shown how to take the help of tribals by caring for their development and fight the Naxalites,” he said.