Advani is a ‘dishonest PM-in-waiting’: Cong

Congress alleged that the BJP leader was a 'dishonest PM-in-waiting' while questioning his statements on the Kandahar hijack episode.

In a scathing attack on L K Advani,Congress alleged on Saturday that the BJP leader was a “dishonest PM-in-waiting” while questioning his statements on the Kandahar hijack episode.

“Irrespective of what happened in Kandahar,the fact is a leader should lead from the front. He should speak nothing but the truth,” Congress party’s national spokesperson Abhishekh Singhvi told reporters in Ahmedabad.

Referring to the Kandahar incident,he asked,”whether the country can afford to have a dishonest prime minster in waiting,who is deliberately,blatantly taking liberties with the truth.”

Story continues below this ad

Singhvi said that Advani in his book and in a TV interview had said that he was not aware or part of the meeting which took the decision to escort terrorists to the Kabul city in 1999 in return for freedom for the passengers of Indian Airlines flight IC 814.

“However,George Fernandes,the then defence minister,in a TV interview last year had categorically said the he (Fernandes) and Advani,the then home and deputy prime minister,were present in the meeting that took the decision on sending the terrorist to Kandahar,” Singhvi said.

“Mr Advani has been completely proved to be taking gross liberties with the truth. He deserves to come clean on this issue,as either of the two is lying,” the Congress spokesperson said.

Singhvi said that there was no reason why Fernandes who is not a Prime Ministerial candidate,should lie on this issue.

Story continues below this ad

“Advani,should either condemn his minister’s version or accept that he spoke falsely,” he said.

The Congress spokesperson also said that Farooq Abdullah,the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir during the Kandahar episode,haD also said then and now that Advani repeatedly phoned him to seek the release of Azhar Masood and other terrorists from Jammu and Srinagar jails respectively.

“Why has Advani not denied the statement of Abdullah? Are both Abdullah and Fernandes lying?” Singhvi asked. Taking forward the debate on ‘Majboor and Majboot neta’ (helpless and strong leader),Singhvi said,”Advani is a self-appointed ‘Lohpurush’ (iron man) who distances himself from his party’s decision on Kandahar and blames his party members and (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee saying that he was not involved.”

“He (Advani) wants to disown his party’s decision,” he added.

Story continues below this ad

When asked about BJP’s claim that the NDA government had consulted Sonia Gandhi before taking the decision on Kandahar,Singvhi alleged that it was a “blatant lie”.

“If they inform us (Congress) about the decision we are not bound by it. Did they get our consent that is for the NDA to answer,” he said.

Dominic A LeBlanc, the Minister of Public Safety, said, "The promotion of violence is never acceptable in Canada." (PTI Photo/ File)

Khalistani outfit SFJ threatens to ‘siege’ Indian consulate in Canada

India3 hr ago

Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice has called for a "siege" on the Indian consulate in Canada on September 18, accusing them of running a spy network to target Khalistan supporters. The group has also threatened the Indian consulates in Canada and released a poster with a target on the face of the Indian High Commissioner.

View all shorts

Live Blog