4 May : Questioning L K Advani’s projection as a "strong and decisive" leader, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said while the country had witnessed numerous terror attacks, the previous NDA regime, in which the BJP leader was the Home Minister, kept "sleeping"."Three wanted terrorists were released and sent to Afghanistan during BJP led regime, of which Advaniji was the Home Minister," the Prime Minister, who has been facing BJP tirade of being a "weak" leader, said addressing an election rally in Pehowa, about 30 km from Kurukshetra.
"During this (NDA regim) period, terror attacks occurred at India’s Parliament, the Red Fort, the Raghunath Temple (Jammu), the Akshardam temple and so was the J&K Assembly attacked. Terrorists infiltrated into Kargil, but BJP government kept sleeping," Dr Singh said, adding "this is the record of the BJP government. You decide how much decisive and strong these leaders are."
Dr Singh asserted that the Congress led UPA government was fully capable of dealing with terrorism and added it was an issue which needed coordination between various states. "We also need to talk with other countries".
The Prime Minister expressed concern over the developments in the neighbouring nations including Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka and said it could affect the security situation in the country.
"Today, there is lack of peace and stability in our neighbouring nations, be it Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It (the developments) can also affect security situation in our country," he said, claiming that only Congress was capable of dealing with such critical issues.