Uri attack: Cong demands Parrikar resignation, says he lacks

Congress today demanded Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's resignation in the wake of Uri attack, claiming he lacks commitment and focus, and wants to be the chief minister of Goa.

"In quick succession, we have had two dastardly attacks on army installations. This is an unfortunate novelty in the war by terrorists. Accountability should be fixed for repeated and recurring tactical, operational and strategic failures," party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters.

Parrikar projects that he is either the proxy Chief Minister of Goa or wants to be the Chief Minister. In either case, the casualty cannot be India's defence, he said.
 

"We demand immediate remedial action and not jumlas (gimmicks). India cannot be left to fish in troubled waters. This is too serious a matter...We cannot allow our brave soldiers to become fodder. There is complete operational, tactical, strategic and logistical failure," he said.

Asked why Congress was not directly demanding the Defence Minister's resignation, Singhvi said, "You have to read between the lines...He lacks commitment, focus and interest as his attention is over a thousand kilometres south of Delhi."

Targeting the government, he wondered why is it that the Modi dispensation was attacking the Opposition through the media.

"As if constructive criticism is an anti-national act. We would be failing our democratic duty as the Opposition if we did not bring out several facets of the unfortunate situation we find ourselves in," he said.

Quoting from what Modi as the Gujarat Chief Minister had said during terror strikes in UPA days, he said,"Opportunistic and selective misuse of nationalism is the nature of BJP".

Across all parameters, there has been a deterioration in the security situation, be it in fatalities in terrorist violence, ceasefire violations, or explosion since Modi took over, the Congress leader alleged.

"This year alone, we have lost more soldiers than we have in the past six years. This is unacceptable," he said.

Singhvi said Congress has always stood with the nation and extended constructive advice to the government.

"Unless we introspect and strengthen ourselves, we will not be able to meet this threat. This threat is real and potent...We support whatever steps the government takes...," he said.