PM's statement shows his frustration: BJP

New Delhi, Aug 17 (UNI) Taking exception to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's accusations that some BJP leaders did ''havans'' praying for his death on a certain day, the party today said Dr Singh's statement was showing his frustration and he should apologise for his remarks.

Reacting to the Prime Minister's remarks carried in an interview carried in the latest issue of ''India Today'', BJP Parliamentary Party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra said it was a very irreponsible statement and was not expected from a person of his stature.

The interview was given in June but it was agreed on being published only after the 123 Agreement was signed.

Mr Malhotra said the Prime Minister seemed to be very ''frustrated'' because of the UPA allies criticising the government on several issues, including the Indo-US Nuclear Deal. ''It shows nothing but his desperation,'' he said.

The BJP maintained that the government had failed on all fronts, whether farmers' plight, terrorism or national security or international affairs and therefore, the statement was the outcome of this frustration.

Mr Malhotra said ''havans'' were performed on auspicious occasions like birthdays, seeking long life and not for somebody's death. He said the Prime Minister had all the intelligence apparatus under his command and he must give specifications about the statement.

''The BJP condemns such irresponsible statements. We cannot imagine the prime minister making such a statement. It shows that he is mentally very tense," another BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

In the interview, the Prime Minister while criticising the BJP said ''It requires a big leap in approach and the attitude of BJP is disappointing. They didn't even believe I would last as the prime minister and some leaders even pefrormed havans'' that I should die on a certain day. But I have faith in a higher force. I believe it was my destiny to be the prime minister. I have the courage of conviction.'' UNI