Advani says PM unable to function independently

Shahdol (MP), Apr 25: Senior BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today alleged that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was unable to function independently and heavy Left pressure on the UPA government was resulting in several grave problems festering within the country.

''The steering wheel of the car, in which the PM is seated, is in Congress President Sonia Gandhi's hands. As soon as Dr Singh attempts to step on the accelerator, the communists apply the brakes,'' he said while addressing a public meeting here after entering Madhya Pradesh through this district as part of his 'Bharat Suraksha Yatra'.

Mr Advani pointed out that naxalism was posing a severe challenge in several states while terrorism and the problem of Bangladeshi infiltrators were baring their fangs.

''I learnt through Raipur media that Dr Singh himself described naxalism as a grave problem. Naxalism is gaining footholds from Pashupatinath to Tirupati. The Prime Minister must make his regime's stance clear on these problems,'' he felt.

Lambasting the Centre, Mr Advani said the country had produced two categories of Prime Ministers. The first category includes the likes of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had always held the reins of the country in their hand. Mr Singh belongs to the other category, in which control lies in someone else's hand.

The BJP leader expressed surprise over the Congress' decision to constitute 'Sachchar Committee' for identifying the social and economic status of Muslims in the country.

He said in fact the committee aimed at knowing the number of Muslims in the Armed Forces.

Pointing out that no such attempt had been made in independent India, Mr Advani said such attempts were being made in view of the Centre's eroding base.

The Former Deputy Prime Minister said while passing through Andhra Pradesh he came across a large statue of 'Kumbhakarna' in sleeping pose. The statue reminded him of the Centre, which was in deep sleep like the demon.

Emphasising on the need for development in tribal-dominated Shahdol, Mr Advani claimed that tribals were naturally inclined towards the BJP. He added that several attempts were made to bring tribals to mainstream during the NDA rule.

UNI