Indian PM hits back at Advani, questions his contribution to

New Delhi, Mar 24 (PTI) In a stinging attack on senior
leader of India's main opposition BJP, L K Advani, Indian
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he had played a "prominent
role" in the Babri Masjid demolition, presided over Gujarat
riots and failed to prevent terror attacks on Parliament and
Red Fort as Home Minister.

Upset by Advani's allegations that he is a "weak" Prime
Minister, Singh hit back by questioning the BJP leader's
contribution to the welfare of the country as Home Minister
and said the electorate should decide whether Advani should
lead the nation.

He also accused Advani of being "opportunist" while
praising Pakistan founder M A Jinnah during his visit to
Pakistan four years back.

"Whether I am a weak or a strong Prime Minister, actions
of our government speak volumes about it," Singh told
reporters while releasing the Congress manifesto for the
upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Noting that Advani keeps on making this charge, Singh
referred to Babri Masjid demolition, terror attacks that took
place during previous NDA government and hijacking of Indian
Airlines plane while reminding BJP's Prime Ministerial
candidate about his performance.

While recounting Advani's record as the Home Minister,
Singh said "the country must decide whether this person
(Advani) is fit to be the Prime Minister."

The Prime Minister said Advani had played a "prominent
role in destruction of Babri Mosque."
"What else has he (Advani) contributed to the national

welfare? When he was the Home Minister, attack on Parliament
took place, troops were mobilised for 12 months (on the
border) and withdrawn without any reason resulting in losses
to the tune of crores of rupees, Red Fort was attacked, plane
was hijacked and terrorists were rewarded," the Prime Minister
recalled.

Singh also said that Advani, as Home Minister, had
"presided over massacres in Gujarat (in 2002)."

The Prime Minister said while Advani "led the communal
forces, he was opportunist enough when he visited Pakistan and
suddenly discovered new virtues of Jinnah that he was a
secular man."
Singh took a dig at Advani for what he faced from his

party on his return from Pakistan. "The party disowned him at
the behest of masters in RSS when he came back. So whether
Advani is strong man or weak man, let the records speak for
themselves," he added. PTI AKK
PMR