Advani charges UPA of compromising with terror

Jeerabad, MP, Oct 5 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani today accused the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of compromising with terrorism and corruption.

''Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's honesty is held in high esteem but his council is overshadowed by corruption. According to a survey, corruption is widespread in India. There have been examples of corrupt links with Iraq and Russia. The oil-for-food case led to the removal of the External Affairs minister and fingers were pointed at the Congress,'' he said here after inaugurating the Rs 175.76-crore Mann Irrigation Project that would irrigate 15,000 hectares in Dhar district.

Pointing out that certain leaders were against the execution of terrorist Mohammad Afzal, who attacked Parliament on December 13, 2001, the former deputy premier added that he would ask President A P J Abdul Kalam to ensure that the ultra was hanged as per the Supreme Court judgement.

''It is not good that India could not emerge as a world leader even after more than five decades of independence. The country attained 'swaraj' in 1947 but the party that remained in power for a long time could not ensure 'suraaj' (good governance). I will ensure 'suraaj' in BJP-ruled states,'' he assured.

Expressing concern over farmers' suicides in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, the BJP veteran alleged that the situation in those states was not short of ''horrifying.'' Among those present were Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Minister of State for Narmada Valley Development Nagendra Singh and Public Works Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya.

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