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The National Democratic Alliance on Friday night resolved to get the anti-terrorism bill passed with a "resounding" majority at the joint sitting of Parliament on March 26 with the National Conference also promising its support.
After a two-and-half hour meeting of the NDA, its convener and Defence Minister George Fernandes told reporters that the alliance partners reaffirmed their faith in the common NDA agenda and said it should be implemented with greater vigour under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Replying to a question, Fernandes said J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah pledged that his party -- the National Conference -- would support the motion at the joint sitting.
At the meeting convened in the backdrop of growing differences among NDA partners on the Hindutva issue, several members suggested that there should be frequent and extensive consultations on the issues of national importance.
The meeting, chaired by Vajpayee, accepted the suggestion and resolved that in addition to this there would also be a joint NDA Parliamentary Party meeting at least once during a parliamentary session, Fernandes said.
"We have expressed full faith in the leadership of the prime minister. There has to be more coordination among NDA partners," Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said as she emerged out of the meeting.
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Vaiko said the allies voiced total commitment to the NDA agenda and suggested regular meetings of the alliance.
PTI
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