No need to panic, polling will be peaceful: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI, Apr 2 (Agencies): Amid reports of terrorist threats to politicians in the run up to and during the general elections, Home Minister P Chidambaram said on Thursday there was no need for any panic or alarm and assured that the government was taking all measures to ensure peaceful polls.

"There is no need for any panic.

There is no need for any alarm," Chidambaram told reporters here.

"We have deployed enough security forces in the run up to the elections.

We have taken all measures that are required to ensure polling takes place peacefully," he said.

Rubbishing media reports that some women jihadis have entered India on a suicide mission, he said, "Some parts of the report are not true." He further urged the media to separate the wheat from the chaff and focus on real issues like coastal security, communal harmony and peace.

Linking the terrorist threat in India to the deteriorating security situation in South Asia, especially in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Chidambaram said, "The security situation in South Asia has deteriorated.

Thus we have to be on our guard.

The minister also underlined the need for unity to fight terrorism.

A country divided on religious and caste lines couldn't fight terrorism, he said, claiming that only the Congress could fight terrorism without dividing the country.

Regarding the threat perception on Varun Gandhi, the Home Minister said that the government is "assessing" the security given to the leader and added that much of the perceived danger to the BJP leader is an "exaggeration".

However, he slammed the BJP for choosing Varun as its candidate.

"How come BJP say that the CD containing inflammatory speeches of Varun Gandhi is doctored," he questioned.

On NCP leader Sharad Pawar's attendance in the Third Front rally tomorrow in Bhubaneshwar, he said, "We have no alliances with NCP in Orissa.

It would have been good if he would not share the dais with parties which are not with UPA." He further rubbished the theory that UPA has weakened after the exit of parties like PMK.

"PMK has a measure influence in 9-10 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu out of the total 39.

Thus the impact will be minimal," Chidambaram said.

Painting a better picture he pointed out that Congress had not formed pre-poll alliance with all constituent parties in UPA, when it was formed in 2004.