Advani's comments on internal security 'irresponsible': Jaiswal

Mumbai, Feb 9 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal today took strong objection to National Democratic Alliance's prime ministerial candidate L K Advani's remarks against the Centre on issue of internal security at a rally in Jabalpur recently, saying that he was indulging in politics at the cost of national interests.

Addressing a news conference here, Mr Jaiswal said by making ''irresponsible'' comments about terrorism and UPA government's tackling of the issue, ''NDA's PM in waiting'' is trying to create a fear psychosis among citizens.

''By acting in such a manner, the distance between him and the PM's chair has further widened,'' he said.

Lashing out at Mr Advani whom he described as 'self confessed PM in waiting', Mr Jaiswal said the NDA's dream of capturing power at the Centre has no basis and will never be fulfilled.

He said issues concerning internal security like Jammu and Kashmir, North East, Naxalism and terrorism have been successfully handled by the UPA as compared to the previous NDA regime.

Citing statistics to buttress his point, Mr Jaiswal said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir had improved by 70 per cent in the last five years.

Even in the North-East, the situation has not deteriorated, he said.

Referring to Naxal menace, Mr Jaiswal said Chhatisgarh, a BJP- governed state, is the worst affected by the naxal menace.

The Minister said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was improving, while tourism in the state had improved.

''Does Mr Advani want to spoil the atmosphere by creating fear among the people. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed three meetings of the Kashmiri people during his last visit to the state and announced a series of programmes to be implemented for the welfare of the people. The strategy has been successfully implemented and the local Kashmiri youth want to stay away from terrorism,'' he said.

Mr Jaiswal said during the NDA regime, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir was at its peak and the then Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister did not even visit the border state for campaigning.

He criticised the BJP for trying to divide the society on communal lines by persisting with hanging of Afzal Guru, the convict in Parliament attack case.

''The NDA government took eight and half years to decide on the mercy petition of Rajiv Gandhi's killers. Afzal Guru has 31 cases pending against him in different states. Comments are sought from each state. He is in jail and it does not matter whether he is hanged tomorrow or after six months. Only he will be affected,'' Mr Jaiswal said.

When asked about kidney racket kingpin Dr Amit Kumar being handed over to India by the Nepal authorities, he said his trial would be expedited.

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