 "Congress asks Modi to 'fix responsibility' in Pathankot attack")
Former home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Wednesday termed the Centre's handling of the Pathankot terror assault 'complete failure' and demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi fix responsibility for the security lapse.
"Earlier, the PM used to speak about being answerable to one's conscience. Now he must do the same and sack whoever is responsible - whether that be the defence minister, home minister or officials," said Shinde. Adding, "This government has totally failed. It has no system in place to protect the nation."
Shinde, who was home minister in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime, said: "In the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Modi bitterly criticised Congress-led UPA, saying 'stop writing love letters to Pakistan' and 'give Pakistan an answer in the language it understands'. Now he goes ahead and hugs Nawaz Sharif, what of that?"
He recalled that Modi had held a press conference amidst the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and criticised the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. "We in the Congress don't do such things; we are a responsible Opposition."
Shinde said Modi in the run-up to the 2014 polls used to say UPA ministers were serving biryani to Pakistani leaders. "...But what is happening now? Modi himself went to meet Sharif and after that Pathankot happened."
He added: "Whenever NDA (National Democratic Alliance) is in power, there is a spike in terror incidents. Four major attacks have happened during NDA regime between 1999 and 2004. During NDA-I, there were hijackings, attacks on Red Fort, J & K Assembly, and Parliament. Whenever the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) comes to power, terrorism increases."
Shinde said even in 1999 when the NDA was at the helm, IC 184 hijack happened. "The then foreign minister accompanied the terrorists to Kandahar and released them. Since 1999, there has been a belief that India has no strength. Terrorists think they can do anything and they will be released," said Shinde.
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The party reiterated its demands that the government reveal all that has transpired and the assurances received from Pakistan so far. The Congress has been maintaining it is in favour of talks, but putting a stop to terror emanating from Pakistan was a priority.