Allahabad: Union Agricultural Minister Ajit Singh, whose Rashtriya Lok Dal is a partner in the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)-led coalition in Uttar Pradesh, on February 22 opposed slapping of Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) against jailed independent MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh.

"Use of the Act (POTA) against political adversaries, whether it be in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu or Jharkhand, is a matter of concern," Singh told reporters.

On slapping of POTA against jailed Legislator Raghuraj Pratap Singh and his father Uday Pratap Singh, the RLD chief said, "The Act was not required against them even though they have been charged with grave criminal acts."

"There are any number of Laws under which the father-son duo could have been tried for their alleged criminal activities," Singh said.

"POTA was enacted by Parliament for sternly dealing with terrorists and anti- national elements, particularly those indulging in subversive activities in league with foreign powers," he said, adding, "ruling parties of the day should desist from using the Act against their political opponents."

"Coalition partners including the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and RLD have expressed their views on the issue and a committee under the chairmanship of Union Law Minister Arun Jaitley has been set up to review the misuse of POTA by the ruling establishments in UP and elsewhere," Singh said.

PTI