Manmohan questions BJP's stand on terrorism

Pheowa (Haryana), May 4 (PTI) Questioning Bharatiya
Janata Party's assertion of having taken a strong stand
against terrorism, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday
said the right-wing party's record on the issue is entirely
different from the claims made by it.

"Our opponents claim is that only they can take a
decisive and strong stand against terrorism, but by looking at
the record of the BJP a completely different picture emerges,"
he said addressing an election meeting here, about 30 kms from
Kurukshetra, in the northern Indian state of Haryana.

Three dreaded terrorists were released and sent to
Afghanistan during the regime of BJP, he said, referring to
the Kandahar hijack case.

During BJP's rule, terrorists attacked Parliament, Red
Fort, Raghunath temple, Akshardham and Jammu and Kashmir
assembly, he said adding that even terrorists entered Kargil,
but the then BJP government remained unaware of the problems.

"This is the record of the BJP...you decide how strong
and decisive are these leaders (of BJP)," he said.

Drawing parallels with BJP on the issue of terrorism,
he said the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance
Government took brave decisions to face the terrorists attack
in Mumbai. "We will keep facing terrorism bravely and with
full commitment," he said.

"All necessary steps needed to be taken to tackle
terrorism will be adopted...but we will keep in mind that a
particular religion or section of society does not face
problems unnecessary," Singh said.

The Prime Minister said coordination between states is
needed to tackle the problem of terrorism.

Besides at the international level the issue has to be
discussed, he said.

"The lack of peace and stability in neighbouring
Pakistan, Nepal and Sri lanka could also have affect on our
country," he said.

"In my opinion only a national party like Congress
can deal with such problems," he said, adding "his party has
experience and capability to deal with such problems." PTI SUN
DEP